Hawks to open shortened season Jan. 19 at Kings

[MassHavoc]

By Chris Kuc, Tribune Reporter

The Chicago Blackhawks will open the shortened 2013 NHL season Jan. 19 on the road against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, a source confirmed Wednesday.

CSNChicago.com first reported the news.

The game will start at 2 p.m. Chicago time after a ceremony in which the Kings will receive their rings and raise their championship banner.

More details about the schedule are expected to become available this week after the deal to end the NHL lockout is finalized.



I thought they were doing divisional games only, I guess that was a rumor or I misunderstood something?

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

By Chris Kuc, Tribune Reporter

The Chicago Blackhawks will open the shortened 2013 NHL season Jan. 19 on the road against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, a source confirmed Wednesday.

CSNChicago.com first reported the news.

The game will start at 2 p.m. Chicago time after a ceremony in which the Kings will receive their rings and raise their championship banner.

More details about the schedule are expected to become available this week after the deal to end the NHL lockout is finalized.



I thought they were doing divisional games only, I guess that was a rumor or I misunderstood something?

No just conference games, you read that wrong.



Kind of weird to start their, but definitely should get our team going against the defending champs.



Kopitar should be out as well.

 

[MassHavoc]

No just conference games, you read that wrong.



Kind of weird to start their, but definitely should get our team going against the defending champs.



Kopitar should be out as well.

I dont' think it's too weird. two of the largest markets in the west (maybe the two largest?) squaring off against each other on for their first game. The reigning champs aginst the recent champs. good story lines galore... will be interesting to see who we open with. I bet in the east you'll see NY teams play the other big market teams as well. They want as many people as possible staring at the screen that day to try to kick the season back off with a boom. And instead of apologizing and doing everything they can to get the trust back from the fans, they'll probably still get beat in ratings. At least they weren't stupid enought to schedule this on the 20th. The NFL would kill them. It will be interesting to see the schedules come out, maybe they did?

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

They should do NYR/NJD and PHI/PIT out east.



Oh and BUF/BOS so John Scott can beat the Crap out of one of those dbags... I want to hear Jack Edwards cry.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

Another question, will NBC already be airing games like they do starting in Jan?

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

I expect a GDT from grimson in 3,2...1..

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

I expect a GDT from grimson in 3,2...1..

It's already up and been pinned for an hour... Don't short change me!!! Mass beat me by two minutes posting that shit haha.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

It's already up and been pinned for an hour... Don't short change me!!! Mass beat me by two minutes posting that shit haha.

I figured you'd be on Ton right about now to get chat up and going.

 

[MassHavoc]

I figured you'd be on Ton right about now to get chat up and going.

HAHAHAHA

 

[Variable]

Guess there are rumors that Hawks aren't too happy with their schedule. Hearing that 12 of their first 14 games are on the road, with 11 of them in a row.

 

[Ton]

Guess there are rumors that Hawks aren't too happy with their schedule. Hearing that 12 of their first 14 games are on the road, with 11 of them in a row.

Any source you can link? I'd like to read it.

 

[the canadian dream]

I think most teams are going to making some sacrifices but more so teams in the Western conference. Welcome to the shortened season. Its not going to be anything like a regular full season and certain teams are certainly going to be at a disadvantage over others more so than usual. This is why I don't think it's actually a fair playing field.

 

[CLWolf81]

Also heard from my friends in Vancouver that the Canuckleheads will host the Ducks.... Toronto will get Montreal and Philly will get Pittsburgh...



My first question with this is ---- if those other two games are rivalries, shouldn't the Hawks be in Vancouver instead? -.- Makes no sense to me.

 

[CLWolf81]

Any source you can link? I'd like to read it.

You want the advertisement to Disney On Ice? LOL Cause yeah, thats what will be at the UC from January 31-February 10.... We have to deal with it whether we like it or not.



The Bulls will be in town Jan 19th, 21st, 23th, 25th, and 28th... There really isn't much we can fit in before Disney shows up.



Frankly, I like this idea because that means we'll have home games by the end of the year, when it matters most.

 

[the canadian dream]

You want the advertisement to Disney On Ice? LOL Cause yeah, thats what will be at the UC from January 31-February 10.... We have to deal with it whether we like it or not.



Frankly, I like this idea because that means we'll have home games by the end of the year, when it matters most.

Thats actually a good point. There are big benefits to this schedule also. Starting on the road for a long stretch may actually be more of a positive than a negative. Forces the players to get focussed on the team and chemistry quicker while puts them on a good early test. And yes if that goes well by the time they hit a heavier home schedule they may be more gelled and tighter also. Who knows. Could work the opposite way also..could bring a more tired back for a heavier home schedule. Who knows but looking at only the negative possibilities overlooks what could be a good thing.

 

[winos5]

Starting with a prolonged roadie could make or break them. They loose more than they win on that roadie and we may be bitching come May. They need to come oot the gate with a roar.

 

[Ton]

I agree with Winos... could get the confidence rolling if they can get some big wins, or the adversity will crush them. Either way, I didn't want to see the schedule for Disney on Ice, just wanted to see where the Hawks were complaining about it.

 

[CLWolf81]

Oh... Hehehe... Well, if they were, I am sure they saw that as well, lol

 

[bierboy]

What the hell? Did I hear there was a lockout?

 

[LordKOTL]

I wish TitanTV would get off their assses and update their programming schedules. I think some ice capades is what WMC said is happening noon PST on our local NBC afflitate.