The Chicago Blackhawks released their 2016-17 regular-season schedule Tuesday, giving fans a look at what the road to a seventh Stanley Cup will look like. Here are 10 highlights from next season’s schedule:
1. Wednesday, Oct. 13: Hawks vs. Blues – Opening Night
It had to be you.. The Hawks open the season at home against the St. Louis Blues. There’s bad blood between these two sides after a seven-game first-round playoff series last spring.
2. Saturday, Oct. 22: Hawks vs. Maple Leafs – The AZ kid
The Hawks host the Toronto Maple Leafs and No. 1 draft pick Auston Matthews. It’ll be Hawks fans first glimpse at seeing the Arizona kid in person.
3. Saturday, Nov. 5/Sunday, Nov. 6: Hawks at Stars/Stars at Hawks – Home-and-home hell
The Hawks play a home-and-home against the defending Central Divison champion Dallas Stars. The Stars have former Hawks players Stephen Johns, Antti Niemi, Johnny Oduya and Patrick Sharp on their roster along with a scoring machine in Jamie Benn. Pair that with a healthy Tyler Seguin and the Hawks are in for a tough two-game swing between Dallas and Chicago.
4. Saturday, Nov. 21: Hawks at Oilers – Whose Place?
In the midst of the Hawks’ annual Circus Trip –the longest road trip of the season — they make their first appearance at Rogers Place in Edmonton. After calling Rexall Place home from 1974-2016, the Oilers open the Rogers Place for its first season.
5. Tuesday, Dec. 27: Hawks vs. Jets – Pat with no ‘c’/Michigan Man
The Hawks host a vastly younger and improved Winnipeg team for the first time this season. The Jets signed their top prospect Kyle Connor, who skated on the same line as Hawks’ prospect Tyler Motte at Michigan. If Motte is up with Chicago it will be two former Wolverine teammates facing off. Oh the other young star for Winnipeg will be Patrik Laine, who the Jets are projected to pick at No. 2 overall.
6. Monday, Jan. 2: Hawks at Blues – Winter Classic
It’s Hawks vs. Blues in an outdoor game at Busch Stadium, home of the most obnoxious fans in baseball. The Hawks have posted a 1-3 record in outdoor games with their lone win a 5-1 rout of Pittsburgh at a snowy Soldier Field in 2014. It’ll be the Blues first outdoor game as they celebrate their 50th year in the league without a Stanley Cup.
7. Friday, Jan. 6: Hawks vs. Hurricanes – Teuvo Return
Whenever a former Blackhawk that was a salary cap casualty returns to the United Center it’s a little special. And this time is no different as Teuvo Teravainen and maybe Bryan Bickell (if he’s not playing for AHL Charlotte) return with Joakim Nordstrom and the Hurricanes to Chicago.
8. Friday, March 10: Hawks at Detroit – So long, Joe
The Hawks visit Detroit for the only time this season. It’ll also be the Hawks final game at Joe Louis Arena, unless the two teams meet in the Stanley Cup Final. Detroit will move to their new home, Little Caesars Arena in 2017-18. No word yet if they’ll call it the Deep Dish.
9. Sunday, April 2: Hawks vs. Bruins – Home finale
The Hawks face off against the Bruins in an Original Six matchup for the final home game at the United Center. And it’s a matinee, which is always nice!
10. Saturday, April 8: Hawks at Kings – Season finale
The Hawks will close their regular-season on the road for the sixth consecutive year. This year they’ll head to the Staples Center to play the Kings, which could be vital for playoff seeding.
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If there are any games on the schedule that weren’t on this list that are a must-see, let us know in the comments.
Here’s the #Blackhawks‘ 2016-17 regular-season schedule: pic.twitter.com/qWJyxK75yy
— Second City Hockey (@2ndCityHockey) June 21, 2016