Tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET the Chicago Blackhawks will kick off their season against the Dallas Stars in Texas, in a Western Conference matchup that can be live streamed by clicking this link. Blackhawks fans can hear the radio broadcast by tuning in to WGN 720, while Dallas fans may do likewise on 105.3 The Fan.
The Blackhawks are kicking off the season banged up, missing forward Kris Versteeg for three weeks with a leg injury. That doesn't trouble coach Joel Quenneville, who said the Blackhawks' depth will allow them to withstand the blow.
"We feel we're deep in a lot of areas," Quenneville said. "Our guys are at a relatively young age and they should be getting better in their individual games and collectively we should be looking to be better than we were."
The Stars are opening with a tough matchup, but feel confident after their first postseason appearance in five seasons. They have developed continuity as well, though, and captain Jamie Benn spoke on that to members of the media.
"We've been together for a year now. The new players have fit in well," Benn said. "We've got a little bit more confidence as a group just making the playoffs, and I think we can bring that into this year."
There is one new face though, Blackhawks defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, the brother of Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk.
"It's a very memorable and special day," Quenneville said of Trevor van Riemsdyk's debut. "He'll always remember it, how it all plays out from the minute you wake up throughout the game. You always remember your first shift, where you played that first game, and hopefully he'll have some good memories from it."
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