Don't miss these key games for Hawks
Our veteran hockey writer, Tim Sassone, offers his assessment of some key dates to circle on your Blackhawks calendar:
Oct. 2-3
For the first time in franchise history the Hawks open the regular season in Europe with two games against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland. The Panthers missed the playoffs last season and lost top defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to free agency, so this could be an opportunity for the Blackhawks to get two quick wins.
Oct. 8 at Detroit
This will be the first of six games between the Central Division rivals who last saw each other in the Western Conference playoffs. The Hawks and Red Wings both will be coming back from Europe so may the least jet-lagged team win.
Oct. 26 vs. Minnesota
Martin Havlat will Twitter his way back to the United Center for the first time since Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall rocked his world with that big hit in Game 3 of the West finals, ending Havlat's season and Hawks career.
Nov. 19 at Calgary
This starts the six-game circus road trip that usually provides some insight as to where the Hawks are headed. It also finds the Hawks returning to the hostile Saddledome for the first time since knocking the Flames out in the first round of the playoffs.
Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh
Unfortunately, this is the only game of the season against the defending Stanley Cup champs so the Hawks have just one shot to test themselves against another of the NHL's great young teams.
Dec. 18 vs. Boston
How's this for a tough stretch of games leading up to Christmas? The Hawks play Boston, Detroit, San Jose and the Red Wings again in a span of six days. All four teams have Stanley Cup aspirations.
Jan. 16 at Columbus
Nice scheduling here on the part of the NHL.
The Hawks start an eight-game, 15-day road trip against the Blue Jackets that could make or break their season. After beginning the trip in Columbus, Detroit and Ottawa, the Hawks must travel to Western Canada for three games, down to San Jose for one, then clear across the country to end things in Carolina.
Feb. 14 at Columbus
The Hawks meet the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena before the NHL takes a 15-day break for the Olympics in Vancouver. The Hawks could have as many as eight players representing their respective countries.
March 14 vs. Washington
Nobody should want to miss the one and only Alex Ovechkin's lone appearance on the West Side.
April 11 vs. Detroit
The last game of the season seldom means anything, but wouldn't it be sweet if this clash decided the Central Division title?