The Chicago Sun-Times’ Ben Pope notes that the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks will play against each other 8 or 9 times this upcoming season, rekindling a long-simmering rivalry:
The Blackhawks will play 56 games in the 2021 NHL season, which was officially announced Sunday by the league.
Eight of those games will be against the Red Wings.
Indeed, seven seasons after the historical rivals were separated by the Wings’ move to the Eastern Conference in 2013, the Hawks and Wings’ rivalry will return in full force — albeit for one year only.
That’s because, with the ongoing pandemic-related Canadian border closure, the league — as had been rumored for months — realigned the 24 U.S. teams into three divisions of eight teams each and the seven Canadian teams into one “North Division.” Teams will exclusively play intra-divisional opponents.
For the Hawks, that means their 2021 Central Division opponents will be the Wings, Stars, Blue Jackets, Predators, Hurricanes, Panthers and Lightning — a list that includes both 2020 Stanley Cup finalists and the home of beloved former coach Joel Quenneville.
The Wings and Hawks’ eight planned 2021 meetings will match their total from the past four seasons combined. In 2019-20, the Hawks won 4-2 at home Jan. 5 and lost 2-1 in Detroit on March 6, their final road game before the shutdown.
The Hawks, I feel will be a very good team. They have sort of rebuilt and traded to get better. Coaching, hmm?
Dach is a Very Good player from the WHL and stepped right in for the Hawks and looked good.
No surprise he wears the C for Canada in WJC.
He is a typical WHL rough, tough, lots of heart and talent. Very good pick by the Hawks.
Rivalries don’t end when one team is not able to play as well. If the Wings don’t play at the same level as the Hawks emotionally and physically, My Yzerman will be taking some notes! Will be great games for the fans!! (TV Fans). I always enjoyed being the Under Dog in all sports.