CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks' opening to this NHL season is unprecedented and record-breaking.
In Chicago sports lore, the Hawks' 19-0-3 record puts them above some of the greatest team starts in the city's history.
The World Series-champion 2005 White Sox began their season 17-7.
The 1906 Cubs also started 17-7 and finished 116-36 — still the most wins ever for a National League team — but lost to the White Sox in the World Series.
The famous 1985 Bears were 12-0 before suffering their only loss — 38-24 at Miami — on their way to the Super Bowl XX title.
The 1995-96 Bulls were 41-3 before rolling to a NBA-record 72-10 regular season and their fourth league title.
"They were determined to win every day, and they did it from the very start of the season to the championship," said Tom Dore, a Bulls TV broadcaster that season. "They became the rock star show every night and never let it get to their heads. They took care of business ever day in practice and every night at the arena."
There are similarities to those Bulls and these Blackhawks, who host the Minnesota Wild Tuesday night.
They both have superstars (Bulls: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman; Blackhawks: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa). They also both employ key role players (Bulls: Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc, Randy Brown; Blackhawks: Andrew Shaw, Bryan Bickell, Dave Bolland).
This year's Blackhawks appear to be workmanlike, much like those Bulls.
"When they got to the gym or the bus to the game, they were all business," Dore said. "They talked basketball the whole time. There was never any discussion of where they had dinner the night before or taxes or politics."
Dore, who now does voiceover work and lives near Austin, Texas, hasn't seen the Hawks play much this year.
He said he'll be looking to see how they do in the playoffs — whether they'll cruise to a title like the 1995-96 Bulls or get upset like the 1906 Cubs.
