Might as well get the tough games out of the way.
That could have been the thought process of the NHL schedule-maker when they came up with the Chicago Blackhawks’ opening road trip.
They kicked off their season on Tuesday night, being the first team to play the Utah Hockey Club in the regular season. But the “fun” doesn’t stop there.
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This weekend, the Blackhawks play their first back-to-back of the season. On Friday, they play the Winnipeg Jets, and on Saturday, they play the Edmonton Oilers.
The Blackhawks have two days to recover before playing the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. After that, they will play a four-game home stand.
Playing two of the best teams in the Western Conference on back-to-back nights is terrible for the Blackhawks. But if the team is going to turn the franchise’s fortunes around, it will need to prove its mettle in these situations.
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The Jets are fresh from a trouncing of the Oilers in Edmonton’s arena. A 6-0 win gave the Blackhawks divisional rival a key two points to begin their season.
Once the Blackhawks get past the Jets, they must contend with the Oilers. The Oilers’ game against the Blackhawks will only be their second game of the season, so the memory of the embarrassing loss they suffered at the hands and skates of the Jets will be fresh in their memory bank.
It’s poor fortune that the Blackhawks will face off against a pissed-off Connor McDavid. But again, if the Blackhawks are going to be a playoff team once again, they will need to rise to these challenges and ace them with flying colors.
Or at least go down kicking and screaming.
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