7 games Blackhawks fans must mark on their calendars for the 2024-25 season

Chicago Blackhawks fans will have far more optimism heading into 2024-25 after the organization made enough moves to sneak back into relevancy, or at least that’s the vibe I’m getting. But amidst the optimism, there are some games on the upcoming 2024-25 schedule that should rise above the others in anticipation, and seven jumps out at me more than any other. 

October 8th, 2024 at Utah Hockey Club

It seems like the Blackhawks play in some of the most highly-anticipated matchups early in the season often. Last year, it was generational talent vs. generational talent, and this season, the Hawks will face off on the road against the Utah Hockey Club. It’s just fitting for an Original Six team to be the opponent against the NHL’s latest franchise. 

October 12th, 2024 at Edmonton Oilers

Before free agency, everyone probably thought this game would be a blowout win for the Oilers, but after the Blackhawks brought in a haul of sound players, it’s anyone’s game. It will be interesting to see if the new-look Hawks can get the best of what was ultimately the class of the Western Conference last season. 

October 26th, 2024 at Dallas Stars

They say the Nashville Predators are supposed to be pretty good this season, but until that becomes the case on the ice and not on paper, the Central Division belongs to the Dallas Stars. Just as the previous matchup on this list involved the Blackhawks taking on the 2024 Western Conference Champions, this one will see them going head-to-head with the defending Central Division Champions for the first time this season. 

November 6th, 2024 vs. Detroit Red Wings

It’s a travesty that the Blackhawks and Red Wings are no longer geographic rivals, but hey, at least they still play one another twice a year. This is the first of two meetings featuring the two Original Six franchises who haven’t been to the playoffs in a while, but that can change this season. 

December 17th, 2024 vs. Washington Capitals

Why should we get excited for a game featuring two teams with barely any connection to one another? You can argue the Blackhawks and Capitals made the most sensible upgrades to their respective lineups in free agency, so it makes for an enticing opening matchup in the two-game series. 

December 31st, 2024 at St. Louis Blues

The first time these two Central Division rivals are squaring off won’t occur until New Year’s Eve, but what a way to end the calendar year. This season, one team made a flurry of moves to improve their lineup while the other, for the most part, stood pat, meaning it would be significant if the Blackhawks kicked off this season series with a win.

April 6th, 2025 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Last year, we didn’t have to wait long to see Sidney Crosby face Connor Bedard, but this year, the NHL is making us wait. And we have a tale of two teams, one of whom is trying to get their generational talent into the playoffs for the first time while the other wants to get theirs back to the playoffs during the twilight of his career.