Don’t tell the Chicago Blackhawks that 3-on-3 overtime has its cons.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions have had quite a ride after the final regulation horn this season, easily taking close games from the Islanders, Lightning and Ducks over the first three weeks of play. Two of those games saw captain Jonathan Toews score on just the first shift of the overtime period. Opening up the ice has benefitted the team immensely in tight games and serves as another weapon in the Hawks’ seemingly endless arsenal of talent.
So what does the short-term picture look like moving forward? At 6-3-0 on the season, the Blackhawks have been able to cope in the wake of Duncan Keith’s right knee meniscal tear that will sideline him for at least the next four weeks. They’ll travel to Winnipeg and Minnesota this week before hosting the Kings and Blues at United Center next Monday and Wednesday. A November 6 game in New Jersey will follow. Two days later, the team welcomes rookie phenom Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
Fans looking to attend an upcoming game in Chicago will finally have the opportunity to beat the lofty prices on the secondary ticket market. According to TiqIQ.com, each of the Blackhawks’ three home games will be well below the team’s season average of $280.41.
Below is a ticket price breakdown of the Blackhawks’ three upcoming home games at United Center, per TiqIQ:
11/02/15 | vs. Los Angeles Kings | Avg. Price: $164.15 | Get-in: $56
11/04/15 | vs. St. Louis Blues | Avg. Price: $199.62 | Get-in: $66
11/08/15 | vs. Edmonton Oilers | Avg. Price: $217.63 | Get-in: $74
The surging Kings head to United Center next Monday in what is sure to be a Western Conference battle to remember. Winners in each of their last five, the Kings will hope to keep the momentum going when they head to the Windy City next week. Interestingly enough, the 2014 Stanley Cup champions are the Blackhawks’ cheapest upcoming home game on the secondary market with an average price of $164.15 and a $56 get-in price.
The Blues hit a road bump over the weekend after falling to the 9-0 Canadiens and young Islanders. They’ll head to United Center for a game next Wednesday, where tickets average $199.62 and the get-in price is $66. The notable rivalry continues after the Blues took three of five from the Blackhawks last season.
There has been plenty of buzz around Connor McDavid as he makes his NHL rounds in his rookie season. The 18-year-old was the Oilers’ first-round draft pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and has not disappointed early in the season, collecting nine points on five goals and four assists through his first nine games. His presence in Chicago November 8 makes the Blackhawks-Oilers game the most expensive upcoming game at United Center with tickets averaging $217.63 and get-in price starting at $74 on the secondary market. He hasn’t been the savior type for the Oilers yet, however, as the team has gone just 3-6-0 this season.
Don’t pay any more than you have to when headed to the Madhouse on Madison. Plenty of parking options in the Chicago area will be available through ParkWhiz.com, so spare yourself a slow crawl out of the confines and park elsewhere for a better price. United Center parking on ParkWhiz.com starts for as low as $21 at most upcoming Blackhawks home games.
