On Monday afternoon, in another sign that hockey’s return is nearing ever closer, the Blackhawks announced the start times for each of its 56 games scheduled for the 2021 NHL season.
The season will start on Wednesday, Jan. 13 with a 7 p.m. opening faceoff against the Lightning, who are the defending Stanley Cup champions. After a 6 p.m. game against the Lightning on Jan. 15 and then a pair of 6 p.m. starts against the Panthers on Jan. 17 and 19, the Blackhawks return to Chicago for the first home game of the season: a 7 p.m. start against the Red Wings on Friday, Jan. 22.
Those 7 p.m. starts are the norm for Chicago’s home games this season and the lack of games against west coast teams means that there are no 9:30 p.m. starts on the Blackhawks schedule this season.
The Blackhawks have games that will be nationally broadcast this season, beginning with Jan. 13 the opener against the Lightning:
Wednesday, Jan. 13: at Tampa Bay – 7 p.m. (NBCSN)
Sunday, Jan. 24: vs. Detroit 11:30 a.m. (NBC)
Wednesday, Jan. 27: at Nashville 6:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
Wednesday, Feb. 17: at Detroit 6:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
Sunday, Feb. 28: vs. Detroit 6 p.m. (NBCSN)
Sunday, March 28: vs. Nashville 7 p.m. (NBCSN)
Wednesday, April 21: vs. Nashville 6 p.m. (NBCSN)
Full schedules are available below in list form and grid from: