Chicago Blackhawks: Tracking Season Opener Success


2016-17 – Vs. St. Louis Blues, lose 5-2
Following a first-round exit to the St. Louis Blues in 2015-16, the Blackhawks lost the first game of the season in 2016-17 to the St. Louis Blues by a score of 5-2. Richard Panik opened the scoring for the Chicago Blackhawks that night.
Panik was the biggest takeaway from the season opener against St. Louis in 2016-17. Panik would go on to register 44 points. He played on the top line with Jonathan Toews throughout most of the season, and fans saw him as a future top-line player.
It is hard to imagine Panik would go on to score 44 points, if it was not for the goal he scored in the first game of the season. It kickstarted a very good run for Panik and earned him the spot on the top line. However, the loss to St. Louis showcased some missing pieces in the Blackhawks’ lineup.
Although the team would go on to top the Central Division, and the Western Conference that season, they also failed to win a playoff game.