Blues Open At Home For A Change

by Brad Lee on Jul 17, 2008 11:25 AM CDT

Hey, I recognize that place.

By Brad Lee

The Blues released their schedule for 2008-09. We're taking a look and breaking it down. Importantly, the Blues open the season at home and not on the West Coast for the first time in three years. Also: There is no Road Trip From Hell (patent pending) in March.

At first glance there are some interesting things about the schedule.

Eight of the Blues' first 10 games are at home.

Almost half (20) of their 41 home games are on a Friday or Saturday. That is amazing.

The longest road trips are five games apiece: a weird West Coast swing that ends up going to Buffalo and Chicago and five-game trip in the last few days of the season in April that's thankfully confined to the Midwest and Phoenix.

The Blues have 11 total games in January with a full seven days off after Jan. 21.

The Blues have a total of 14 games in February -- a month with only 28 days.

Only one home game in April -- After baseball season starts.

The NHL got away from the push to close the season with only divisional games.

Buy your tickets early for Saturday, Nov. 1 when the Sidney Crosby Experience rolls into town. Other Eastern Conference matchups that could be fun include Montreal on Nov. 16 (unfortunately, a Sunday night game which are always awkward), the Bruins on Dec. 21 (also a Sunday), the Devils on Dec. 30, the Flyers Jan. 31 (probably a really fun Saturday night game) and the New York Rangers on Feb. 16.

On the surface, this looks pretty good for the Blues. March will be more kind. They still play too many home games really early in the season. There aren't the big gaps on the schedule in October like the last two years. And while we still have to see Columbus and Nashville a little too often, there's plenty of good matchups. And the number of Friday and Saturday games is outstanding.

What do you think? Tell us in the comments.

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Comments

10/13 @ Toronto… a monday noon game?

by Tim on Jul 17, 2008 1:01 PM CDT reply actions

ROAD TRIP!
Chicago
Friday November 14th

by LosBri on Jul 17, 2008 1:06 PM CDT reply actions

1/19 @ Boston…also a Monday noon game wtf

also, it appears they’re taking damn near a whole week off for the all-star break
season breaks: Jan. 21
all-star game: Jan. 25
season resumes: Jan. 27

by Dooks on Jul 17, 2008 2:51 PM CDT reply actions

1/31 at home vs. the Flyers… I may just play the bad guy and wear my Recchi 3rd jersey :p

by Dooks on Jul 17, 2008 2:53 PM CDT reply actions

I say a section 307 road trip to Shitcago (see what I did there) on 11/14……via train!

by Doc on Jul 17, 2008 3:19 PM CDT reply actions

I got a Roenick Flyers jersey I might have to break out too!

by LosBri on Jul 17, 2008 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

update: 10/13 is Columbus Day (US) & Thanksgivings (Canada). Those poor schmucks celebrate it on the wrong day!

by Tim on Jul 17, 2008 5:11 PM CDT reply actions

19 times do they play games on back to back nights. Enjoy your playing time Chris Mason.

by Pagan on Jul 17, 2008 6:10 PM CDT reply actions

Anyone want to go to Buffalo for the game Nov 12th :-) ?

Nothing like Buffalo in November—-on a Wednesday—-in November.

by Keller on Jul 17, 2008 7:18 PM CDT reply actions

Actually Keller, I’ve enjoyed watching the Sabres since the days of Pat LaFontaine. I was disappointed to see the only Blues game against them is away.

How is Buffalo in November?

by Pagan on Jul 17, 2008 10:05 PM CDT reply actions

Who was the announcer who would scream, “La-La-La-La-LaFontaine!”?

by Milo on Jul 17, 2008 11:07 PM CDT reply actions

(LaFontaine, who was born in St. Louis)

by Dooks on Jul 18, 2008 7:58 AM CDT reply actions

By the way, it’s just starting to sink in that we’ll have 5 opportunities to turn around GT papers for home games on back-to-back nights.

For the last three years, we’ve had to do this exactly once a season.

I think the Blues are trying to kill me.

by gallagher on Jul 18, 2008 8:51 AM CDT reply actions

It’s good that there’s no March Death March road trip (guaranteed to kill any playoff chances a team might have had). Just a heads-up, the killer seats may be available for the 10/13 noon game. Work sucks.

Happy to be back. Lots of news and stuff to catch up on.

by The Goalie Guy on Jul 18, 2008 10:07 AM CDT reply actions