The Chicago Blackhawks will have no small task to start this abbreviated hockey season, as they will visit the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 19, according to sources.
The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that the Kings will raise their Stanley Cup banner before the game, which the paper also reported to be an afternoon game.
The NHL will open its 48-game regular season on Jan. 19 after reaching a framework for a new collective bargaining agreement on Sunday. The board of governors is in New York today to ratify it -- reports are that a simple majority (16) is needed for ratification. Players will vote on it later this week.