On Thursday November 15th I depart for Dallas, Texas. On Friday I plan on attending the Stars vs. Bruins game. It will hypothetically be the first of 31 consecutive NHL game nights in 31 different cities. I say hypothetically because there are a number of things that can go wrong: weather, airlines, etc.
There is also a quirk – with no games on November 22nd, American Thanksgiving, I have to make it up by going to two games on December 1st (Ottawa then Montreal).
There are a lot of reasons I’m going in general and a lot of reasons why I’m excited to venture to all of the rinks. Here is the schedule along with just one thought on each of the visits and venues. Wish me luck!!
November 16, Bruins at Dallas
Always enjoy talking pucks with GM Jim Nill
November 17, Oilers at Calgary
My first ever Battle of Alberta in person
November 18, Golden Knights at Edmonton
First time in the new building
November 19, Jets at Vancouver
Seeing my Calder pick (now favorite) Elias Pettersson in action
November 20, Oilers at San Jose
Have always loved the noise factor in this building
November 21, Canucks at Anaheim
Can you say warm weather?
November 22, NO GAMES
November 23, Avalanche at Arizona
Are they really the new and improved Coyotes?
November 24, Sharks at Vegas
First time in the building
November 25, Oilers at Los Angeles
Wondering if the Kings will have won another game by then
November 26, Bruins at Toronto
Sleeping in my own bed
November 27, Coyotes at Minnesota
Will be thinking of and remembering Mr. Naegele
November 28, Penguins at Colorado
Three words: MacKinnon, Landeskog, Rantanen
November 29, Wild at Columbus
I want to hear that damn cannon
November 30, Devils at DC
Ovie in the left-wing circle
December 1, Sharks at Ottawa
The challenge of two games in one day
December 1 (part 2), Rangers at Montréal
I love the Bell Centre
December 2, Jets at Rangers
The City so nice they named it twice, my previous home
December 3, Lightning at New Jersey
I’ve actually seen the remains of the original NJ Devil’s house
December 4, Avalanche at Pittsburgh
Haven’t been here since it was “The Igloo”
December 5, Oilers at St. Louis
Fifth game with the Oil’, should know the crew well
December 6, Blue jackets at Philadelphia
Back at what was my home rink for about three seasons
December 7, Blues at Winnipeg
Hanging out with Paul Edmonds, the Jackie Gleason of pbp
December 8, Flyers at Buffalo
Matinee, can stop in T.O. and grab some clothes
December 9, Canadiens at Chicago
Wicked cool Original Six matchup
December 10, Kings at Detroit
One of 10 potential book signings, this one in my hometown
December 11, Senators at Nashville
The party inside and out
December 12, Golden Knights at Islanders
No sleep till Brooklyn
December 13, Leafs at Tampa Bay
My preseason pick for the Eastern Conference Final
December 14, Capitals at Carolina
Love that Southern hospitality
December 15, Leafs at Florida
A chance to see my “no excuse” Panthers
December 16, Sabres at Boston
Finishing up in a happy old stomping ground
I will be co-hosting “Stellick and Simmer” on NHL Network Radio from from the road. Tune in 7 – 10 am Eastern, Monday through Friday.
