The Chicago Blackhawks just got handed a brutal test right out of the gate. This 2026-27 schedule isn’t a friendly welcome back for the fans or the players. It’s a gauntlet designed to see if the young core can survive the heat before Connor Bedard even steps on the ice. Starting on the road is risky, but starting in Vegas? Dangerous. The team has to win in a hostile environment to prove they belong.
A Rough Start to the Season
Chicago opens the season on Tuesday, Sept. 29 against the Vegas Golden Knights. This game features a 9:30 p.m. puck drop and will be nationally broadcast on ESPN, according to Second City Hockey. That’s a tall order for any team, let alone one in the middle of a rebuild. The schedule then forces the Hawks to fly to Utah and Buffalo before they even get a home game. Per Second City Hockey, this four-game, eight-day stretch covers opposite ends of the country. It’s a terrible way to start a season.
These first four games are all against teams that made the playoffs last year. That’s a massive hurdle for a squad missing its best player. The front office knew this would be hard, but they didn’t need to make it this hard. A softer start would’ve helped build confidence. Instead, the team faces immediate pressure to perform on the road.
Home Ice Advantage Arrives Late
The first home game doesn’t happen until Tuesday, Oct. 6 against the St. Louis Blues. This home opener will start at 7 p.m. instead of the usual 7:30 slot. Most weeknight games at the United Center will now kick off at 7 p.m., per Second City Hockey. This change helps fans get home earlier, but it doesn’t fix the early road trip.
Once the team gets back to Chicago, they get a seven-game homestand from Oct. 10 to Oct. 27. This stretch gives the Hawks a real chance to use home ice as a weapon. The schedule also features another long homestand from Feb. 17 to March 1. These blocks are vital for the team to find its rhythm. Without Bedard, the defense and depth have to carry the load during these home dates.
The Long Road Ahead
After the early season grind, the team faces its longest road trip in terms of time. A six-game stint runs from Jan. 26 until Feb. 11, with most games on the west coast. This trip splits two major homestands and comes right before the NHL All-Star Weekend. Then comes the weirdest part of the schedule. Chicago heads to Dusseldorf, Germany for two games against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 18 and Dec. 20. Those games will have CT start times of Noon and 7 a.m., respectively. Traveling across the ocean for hockey is a strange move.
The team has 84 games to play this season. That’s a lot of hockey for a roster still taking shape. The early road games will define the tone for the whole year. If they can survive the first week, the rest of the season looks more manageable. But if they stumble in Vegas and Utah, the pressure will mount fast.
What do you think about this tough start? Can the Hawks survive the opening road trip without Bedard?
