Banner-raising night a big challenge for Blackhawks
Fans lucky enough to be at the United Center tonight will be treated to quite a show.
From video montages to player and coach introductions to the raising of the championship banner, it promises to be a night to remember.
But what about when the puck finally drops? Can they expect to see a Blackhawks victory as well?
Perhaps, but using recent history as a guide, the odds are against it. Four of the last five Stanley Cup champions lost their home opener the next season. The lone victory? The Hawks two years ago in a 6-4 win over Washington.
The long ceremony combined with players getting out of their routines may have something to do with the wretched results. Niklas Hjalmarsson acknowledged those factors, and gave another reason as well.
“The other team is pretty hungry, too,” Hjalmarsson said. “They want to kill the atmosphere a little bit and show the other team right off the bat what they have to look forward to all season. I think it might be more the opponent that comes in that gets a bigger kick out of it”.
To Corey Crawford, past results make “no difference at all.” Yet, the two-time Cup- winning goalie knows the Hawks better be ready for a New York Rangers team that finished with a league-high 113 points last season.
“We've got to be ready,” Crawford said. “It'll be fun; it'll be special for everyone. But it's definitely time to go to work.”
Coach Joel Quenneville likes that new players such as Artem Anisimov, Artem Panarin, Trevor Daley and others will see what comes with the fruits of a Stanley Cup title.
“It's a good memory of what was accomplished,” Quenneville said. “At the same time there's some new guys that get to watch it … and hopefully get to experience it as well.
“This puts (last year) to rest. Certainly a very proud moment, a very special moment to participate in. And then we've got to play for keeps.”
Helping Cubs fans:
During their home opener, the Blackhawks plan to broadcast the Cubs vs. Pirates wild-card game in the concourse bars. During intermissions — when time permits — they also will show the game on the videoboard with sound.
Roster moves:
The Blackhawks recalled defenseman Ville Pokka from Rockford and sent defenseman Viktor Svedberg to the IceHogs on Tuesday. They also placed defenseman Michal Rozsival on long-term injured reserve.
The team's active roster now includes 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.
Slapshots:
The Hawks are encouraging fans to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. for the banner-raising ceremony. … The Hawks likely will roll out the following lines to start the season: Jonathan Toews centering Teuvo Teravainen and Marian Hossa; Artemi Anisimov centering Artem Panarin and Patrick Kane; Andrew Shaw centering Bryan Bickell and Ryan Baun; and Marcus Kruger centering Andrew Desjardins and Ryan Garbutt.
Scouting report
New York Rangers (53-22-7 last season) vs. Blackhawks (48-28-6), United Center, 7 p.m.
TV: NBCSN
Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: It's a strange start to the regular season for the Blackhawks as they open with eight straight Eastern Conference foes. The season opener certainly will test the new-look Hawks as they go against the team that won the Presidents' Trophy for most points last season. … The teams split their two meetings last season, both winning 1-0 (the Rangers prevailing in OT at the United Center). … The Hawks have won their last three season openers. … Corey Crawford starts in net.
Next: New York Islanders at Barclays Center, 6:30 p.m. Friday
— John Dietz