Blackhawks open season with back-to-back games at Tampa Bay
Somewhere Jonathan Toews is smiling.
The reason?
Because the Blackhawks' captain saw a dream become reality Wednesday when the NHL released a never-before-seen schedule that was chock-full of two-game series in what will be a 56-game slate.
Two years ago Toews told the Daily Herald he would love to see such a schedule come to fruition to cut down on the wear and tear on their bodies.
"When you play a playoff series, you go play two games there and then you come back. So why can't we do that during the season?" Toews said. "It's constant on the plane, on the bus, on the plane, on the bus. Just for one game here, one game there? That's frustrating."
The Hawks open the season at Tampa Bay Jan. 13 and 15, then go up against Joel Quenneville's Florida Panthers Jan. 17 and 19. The Lightning are the defending Stanley Cup champs. The home opener will be against the Detroit Red Wings Jan. 22, with a rematch set for Jan. 24.
Training camp opens Jan. 3, with the first on-ice practice coming the next day.
No fans will be allowed at the United Center at first.
"We will continue working with the league, city and state officials to evaluate conditions to determine if there is a timeline that would allow for fans later this season," the Hawks said in a statement.
The Hawks will face divisional foes eight times each. The revamped division includes Detroit, Tampa Bay, Florida, Carolina, Dallas, Columbus and Nashville.
Fourteen of the Hawks' first 22 games will be on the road. Seven of the last nine games will be at the United Center.
The Hawks will see the Lightning three straight times at the UC - March 4, 5 and 7. The season ends with back-to-back home games against the Stars, who lost to the Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final.
Hawks lose Nylander:
Forward Alex Nylander is expected to miss the upcoming season after having surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. Team physician Dr. Michael Terry said the injury occurred during last season's playoffs.
"He initially rested and trained conservatively; unfortunately, his symptoms came back when he started to skate," Terry said in a statement.
Nylander can return to hockey related activities in 4-6 months, meaning he could only play in games if the Blackhawks qualified for the postseason. Nylander had 10 goals and 16 assists last season. He will be a restricted free agent next summer.