June 25--Even while the celebration of the Chicago Blackhawks' 2015 Stanley Cup championship rages on, it's time to cast a glance at next season.
The NHL released the 2015-16 schedule Thursday, allowing the Blackhawks to chart the regular-season path in their bid to become the first repeat Stanley Cup champs since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and '98.
The Blackhawks will open the season at home and they will raise the '15 Stanley Cup banner to the United Center rafters Oct. 7 prior to an Original Six showdown with the New York Rangers.
Another highlight of the schedule includes their NHL-record fourth outdoor game when the Hawks face the Minnesota Wild at TCF Bank Stadium on Feb. 21.
Twenty of the Blackhawks' 41 home games will take place on weekends, including two Fridays, four Saturdays and 14 Sundays. The Blackhawks will host four separate, four-game homestands (Oct. 17-26; Dec. 11-17; Jan. 6-12; Feb. 9-15). Their longest road trip of the season is a six-game swing from Nov. 18-28.
The full schedule can be found here.
