Looking at the Chicago Blackhawks' December Schedule

The Blackhawks are very well over a month into the new season now and are actually looking pretty good as they move through to the month of December. Chicago is currently sitting with (as of the 28th of November) a record of 14-7-3 with 31 points after having played 24 games.

The season is still young and a lot can happen, but if you are a fan of the Blackhawks, you have to be encouraged at what you are seeing so far.

So let’s take a big look at the Blackhawks' schedule in December.

December 2-New York Islanders at Chicago

These two teams don’t play one another that often and they only faced each other once last year. The Blackhawks ended up winning that game and judging by the way the Islanders are playing this so far this season, shouldn't have a problem winning this one. 

December 3-Chicago at St. Louis

At the time of this writing, the Blues and the Blackhawks have played one game so far this season which resulted in a 3-0 win by the Blues. The two teams met a total of six times last season and the Blackhawks led that series 4-2. Will the Blackhawks be able to beat the Blues after losing to them once already?  Anything is possible as the Blues are currently playing well this season. This should be a good game and one that the Blackhawks need to win to even the series. 

December 5-Phoenix at Chicago

This will be the second game of the year between these two teams with the Blackhawks winning the first contest 5-2. Last season, both teams met four times and split the series at two games apiece. The Coyotes have started out this season pretty well, so this could be a good game between two good teams at this point in the season. The Blackhawks should still have the advantage in this one. 

December 8-Chicago at New York Islanders

For the second time in the month of December. the Blackhawks and the Islanders will face off against one another. The winner of the first game has the best chance of capturing the W in this contest.

December 11-San Jose at Chicago

This will be the first regular-season meeting between the two teams.  Last year, the Blackhawks lost to the Sharks three times and will have to be playing better hockey in order to beat San Jose. The Sharks have been playing decent lately but not quite as well as the Blackhawks. Chicago has an excellent chance of winning this game.

December 14-Chicago at Minnesota

The Wild and the Blackhawks will play each other for the first time this season. These two teams faced one another four times last year and the Blackhawks came out on top three times in that series.  The Wild have started this season strong so it’s a tossup for which team will win.

December 16th-Anaheim at Chicago

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim will head east to take on the Blackhawks for the second time this season. The Blackhawks beat the Ducks the last time these two teams met, but the Ducks took two out three games in last year's season series. Anaheim is starting the season off on a low note right now and could be ripe for the taking once this game rolls around. Expect another Blackhawks' win here.

December 18th-Calgary at Chicago

The Flames will travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks for a third time this season (the Blackhawks won the first game and the Flames won the second). The two teams split their season series last year 1-1. This year, the Flames have started off the 2011-2012 campaign a little weak so they could be ripe for the taking when the Blackhawks meet them here close to the middle December.

December 20-Chicago at Pittsburgh

The always tough Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Blackhawks in a game between two heavyweights.  If these two teams continue playing well this will be a great game. Last year, these two teams faced each other once and the Blackhawks came out on top in that game.  Can they do that again this year?

December 21-Montreal at Chicago

The Blackhawks will face the Canadiens as the season approaches the Christmas holiday and hopefully Chicago can avenge a 2-1 loss that they suffered at the hands of the Montreal last year. Montreal isn’t doing so well right now so the Blackhawks may be able to beat them and hopefully use that win to have a strong December.

December 26 Columbus at Chicago

The Blue Jackets will face the Blackhawks again this season and will likely lose for the second time. These two teams met six times last season with the Blackhawks holding a 4-2 edge. Columbus isn’t doing much of anything this year so Chicago shouldn't have a problem winning.

December 28th Los Angeles at Chicago

The Blackhawks will end the month of December by hosting the Los Angeles Kings. This will be the second time this year that these two teams have met (the first meeting came after the time this was completed). The Kings are in the middle of the pack right now so the Blackhawks might be able to beat them. Last year, the Kings and the Hawks met three times and the Hawks won all three games. Can they sweep Los Angeles again this year?

December 30th-Detroit at Chicago

The last game of December will see the Blackhawks take on their most hated rival, the Detroit Redwings. This will be the first meeting between these two teams this year. Last year, the Red Wings and the Blackhawks faced each together six times and the Blackhawks won the series 4-2. The Red Wings are playing middle-of-the-pack hockey right now and may be a good opponent for the Blackhawks at this point in the month.