When the Chicago Blackhawks travel to St. Louis on Thursday, they'll put their 19-game point streak on the line. To say Chi-town's start to this lockout-shortened season (which is nearly half over now) his been great is a serious understatement--they haven't lost a game in regulation to this point and are a cool eight points ahead of the next closest team in the NHL.
As historic as the start may be, there's another set of hockey guys that might have something to say to those calling it one of the best streaks ever. During the 1979-80 season the Philadelphia Flyers set a North American sports record when they went 35 games between regulation losses (25-0-10). ESPN featured an article on that team on its website today.
"I'll never work with a group of athletes like that again," former Flyers head coach Pat Quinn said in an interview. "I know those players probably feel the same way. I still think of them as a very special group of people. There were no expectations and I think that made it that much sweeter.
It's going to take a whole lot of luck, fortunate bounces, and terrific play (all of which they've had to this point) for the Blackhawks to pass the mark, and the closer they get, the more attention will be paid to the streak.
As amazing as the current and former streak are, there's one that neither team will be able to live up to. For more on that, watch this.