FEATURE: Top five 2018-19 home dates

When we look at the Chicago Blackhawks 2018-19 schedule, there are some things that stand out. For example, the team has nine days with no games at the end of January and they have no road trips lasting more than three games.
But when it comes to what will happen at home, Blackhawks fans should circle these dates on their calendars. Regular season tickets go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. CT.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

While the Blackhawks will start 2018-19 on the road in Ottawa on October 4, and then travel to St. Louis to face the Blues on October 6, the fun in Chicago will begin the very next day.
The team hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 7, for their first home game of the season.
The new season is a chance to wipe last year's series against the Leafs clean and start fresh. Chicago lost both meetings with Toronto in 2017-18, falling 4-3 in overtime on October 9, 2017 and 3-2 in overtime on January 24, 2018.
Chicago is 3-2-0 in their last five home openers.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Blackhawks were on the road during the December holidays last season. In fact, it was a very long trip, which included six games in 14 days. It took them to Dallas, New Jersey, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and New York.

This season is much different, with the Blackhawks staying home in Chicago for the holidays. They'll host Florida on the eve before Christmas Eve (Dec. 23) and then have three days off before hosting Minnesota on December 27.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

It's technically a home game for the Blackhawks, but this one will be played outdoors at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana.
Four hours east of Chicago, the Blackhawks will play the Bruins on New Year's Day. It will be the fourth Winter Classic appearance for Chicago and Boston's third.

Chicago will be trying to earn their first win in the NHL Winter Classic, having lost to Detroit in 2009, Washington in 2015 and St. Louis in 2017. The Bruins split their previous two outdoor appearances.
January 1, 2019: circle it.

BRING ON THE CHAMPS

While January 20, 2019 isn't the first time the Blackhawks will face the Washington Capitals, it is the first time they'll host the reigning Stanley Cup Champions during the 2018-19 campaign.
Chicago and Washington open their season series against each other on November 21, in the nation's capital. The Blackhawks then host their foe in the new year.

In two meetings last season, the Blackhawks went 1-1-0 against the then-future champs, losing 6-2 to them in December and then crushing them at home 7-1 in February.

GIVE ME A BREAK

January will give the Blackhawks a chance to rest before what is hopefully a successful push to the postseason.
Following a home game on January 22, against the New York Islanders, Chicago will not play another game until they hit the road on February 1, to play the Buffalo Sabres.
The club's next home game is not until February 7, against Vancouver, meaning they'll have gone more than two weeks without playing in front of a home crowd.
Blackhawks fans will surely give them a nice welcome home.