Up goes the banner: PuckDaddy
On to the next one: SunTimes
So it begins: Hockee Night
The kill was there when it was needed: Chicago Tribune
Gutty: Comcast (ap)
Advanced Metrics: Extra Skater
And we’re off and running. Had you forgotten what a season feels like when it starts in October? You probably did. I know I had. Let’s get right to the bullets.
-First, the ceremony. This is something the Hawks organ-i-zation really does well, if not a little over the top on patting themselves on the back. But the use of the ice as a big screen is always cool, and just like in 2010 they used interviews with the players to highlight the key moment (this time being the :17). It really brings it home that they were in just as much shock as we were. We were all kids then. Speaking of which, nice touch on having the kids bring the banner to the players, though it would have been better to give them a quick, personal introduction.
-I always find it a little off that Rocky is wildly cheered when introduced, same with McDonough, but then I hear all the moaning when ticket prices are raised. Who do you think does that? Still, they both deserve the cheers, because all we ask is that they provide us a winner for our money.
Red wire: right temple . Black wire: left temple.
Someday I’m telling you, they’ll make a memory machine to wax our hearts to a blinding sheen, to wash away the grief.
There are times I think eternal life ain’t such a bad gig , smoke all you want and see the planets
vs 
Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, WGN-AM 720
What A Bunch Of Clowns: Japer’s Rink, Russian Machine, Puck Buddys
It’s unclear whether or not it’s ironic or appropriate or appropriately ironic that two teams from Washington and Chicago actually begin working on a day that began with a full government shutdown, the literature majors in the audience can determine that. What is clear, however, is that the Blackhawks will tonight raise a banner for the second time in the salary cap era, something no other team has done. And unlike the last time this happened, they’re in an actionable position to do so again.
I know some of you are new to us, and I always get asked where to find a copy of our gameday program outside the United Center. Well, here you go. The red x’s are where we have sellers stationed every game. That’s Gates 2 (Scott, generally) and 3 (yours truly), Madison and Wood (Adam), Monroe and Wood (Hamish, though not tonight), and Monroe and Damen (Sarah). Sometimes, when I’m lucky, we have a sixth vendor at Damen and Madison (Glenn). So if you’re heading down to the United Center any time this year and have never purchased our booze-soaked rag to get you ready for that night’s game, you now know where to find us.
Just about 30 hours or so from the new piece of cloth going up to the rafters. And as I do every year, I’ll take a whack at predicting what goes on this season. I think the only thing I’ve ever gotten right was Hawks-Flyers in 2010 (so did McClure, and boy did the Flyers make it interesting before getting there). But we’ll do it anyway. I’ll invite the other three goofs on this blog to add their predictions to this post later today, but they have lives which I don’t. So no guarantees that I won’t be the only one hanging himself upon his own petard.
Let’s do it:
Hawks point total – The number 102-105 keeps ringing around my head. Of course, last year the Hawks were on a 131-point pace (Jesus Christ!), but no one expects that again. 102 in the old set up would have landed the Hawks probably a 4th or 5th seed. 105 near the top I would think. I just don’t see them ducking the injury and fatigue bugs all season as they pretty much did last year (only Sharp missed significant time). In this new division set up there are certainly easy points to rack up, and the Conference as a whole won’t be as tough as it once was with Vancouver and Anaheim sure to backslide at least a little. Only Edmonton looks like it has a chance to rise up, and even then only a little.
Would 105 win the division? Probably. Not sure 102 will. Pretty sure it won’t matter if the Hawks are mostly healthy in April.
More Bling! Chicago Tribune Blackhawks
I think the roster is set: Comcast
Hossa is ready: SunTimes
Unsung hero: Daily Herald
