30 Cities in 30 Nights

By Ryan Porth

Have you ever dreamt of going on the ultimate trip through all 30 NHL cities??  And not just in your lifetime… in 30 days??  Yeah, me too!

I was really bored this weekend and decided to think of a mock trip that would take me to all 30 NHL cities in a month’s span (with the real 2010/11 schedule).  After numerous attempts, I was finally successful at putting together this dream trip.

We start it off right after the All-Star break on February 1, and come to our final stop in Chicago on March 2.  Oh what a trip this would be…

*Total expenses = Tickets, hotels, and transportation to get to that city.  The total at the bottom does include estimated food, souvenir, and miscellaneous costs.

1. February 1, 2011 in Raleigh

Game: Hurricanes vs. Bruins

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $130

Transportation: Drive 8.5 hours to Pittsburgh

2. February 2 in Pittsburgh

Game: Penguins vs. Islanders

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $217

Transportation: Drive 6.5 hours to New York

3. February 3 in New York

Game: Rangers vs. Devils

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $230

Transportation: Drive 0.5 hours to Newark

4. February 4 in Newark

Game: Devils vs. Panthers

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $125
Transportation: Drive 4.5 hours to Boston

5. February 5 in Boston

Game: Bruins vs. Sharks

Time: 1:00 ET

Total expenses: $185
Transportation: Drive 5 hours to Montreal

6. February 6 in Montreal

Game: Canadiens vs. Devils

Time: 3:00 ET
Total expenses: $270

Transportation: Drives 6 hours to Toronto

7. February 7 in Toronto

Game: Maple Leafs vs. Thrashers

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $235

Transportation: Drive 9 hours to Washington, DC

8. February 8 in Washington, DC

Game: Capitals vs. Sharks

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $220

Transportation: Drive 9 hours to Detroit

9. February 9 in Detroit

Game: Red Wings vs. Predators

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $196

Transportation: Drive 9 hours to Philadelphia

10. February 10 in Philadelphia

Game: Flyers vs. Hurricanes

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $235

Transportation: Drive 2.5 hours to Long Island

11. February 11 in Uniondale

Game: Islanders vs. Penguins

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $195

Transportation: Fly to Phoenix

12. February 12 in Glendale

Game: Coyotes vs. Blackhawks

Time: 6:00 MT

Total expenses: $344

Transportation: Fly to Atlanta

13. February 13 in Atlanta

Game: Thrashers vs. Hurricanes

Time: 5:00 ET

Total expenses: $287

Transportation: Fly to Denver

14. February 14 in Denver

Game: Avalanche vs. Flames

Time: 7:00 MT

Total expenses: $282

Transportation: Fly to Ottawa

15. February 15 in Ottawa

Game: Senators vs. Islanders

Time: 7:30 ET

Total expenses: $580

Transportation: Drive 6 hours to Buffalo

16. February16 in Buffalo

Game: Sabres vs. Maple Leafs

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $175

Transportation: Fly to Nashville

17. February 17 in Nashville

Game: Predators vs. Canucks

Time: 7:00 CT

Total expenses: $232

Transportation: Fly to Miami

18. February 18 in Sunrise

Game: Panthers vs. Red Wings

Time: 7:30 ET

Total expenses: $321

Transportation: Drive 4 hours to Tampa

19. February 19 in Tampa

Game: Lightning vs. Panthers

Time: 7:30 ET

Total expenses: $160

Transportation: Fly to Minneapolis

20. February 20 in St. Paul

Game: Wild vs. Red Wings

Time: 5:00 CT

Total expenses: $325

Transportation: Fly to St. Louis, MO

21. February 21 in St. Louis

Game: Blues vs. Blackhawks

Time: 1:00 CT

Total expenses: $240

Transportation: Drive 7 hours to Columbus

22. February 22 in Columbus

Game: Blue Jackets vs. Predators

Time: 7:00 ET

Total expenses: $165

Transportation: Fly to Calgary

23. February 23 in Calgary

Game: Flames vs. Bruins

Time: 7:00 MT

Total expenses: $527

Transportation: Fly to Vancouver

24. February 24 in Vancouver

Game: Canucks vs. Blues

Time: 7:00 PT

Total expenses: $343

Transportation: Fly to Edmonton

25. February 25 in Edmonton

Game: Oilers vs. Blues

Time: 7:00 MT

Total expenses: $344

Transportation: Fly to Dallas

26. February 26 in Dallas

Game: Stars vs. Predators

Time: 1:00 CT

Total expenses: $493

Transportation: Fly to Anaheim

27. February 27 in Anaheim

Game: Ducks vs. Avalanche

Time: 5:00 PT

Total expenses: $330

Transportation: Drive 0.5 hours to Los Angeles

28. February 28 in Los Angeles

Game: Kings vs. Red Wings

Time: 7:30 PT

Total expenses: $145

Transportation: Drive 6 hours to San Jose

29. March 1 in San Jose

Game: Sharks vs. Avalanche

Time: 7:30 PT

Total expenses: $195

Transportation: Fly to Chicago

30. March 2 in Chicago

Game: Blackhawks vs. Flames

Time: 8:00 CT

Total expenses: $311

Approximate cost of trip for ONE person: $9,237

So there you have it… all 30 NHL cities in 30 nights.  Grab your calendars (and credit card) and start planning!!

** Ryan is a diehard hockey fan that would prefer to watch a Leafs-Islanders regular season replay over any NBA game! He’s been the editor in chief of RLD Hockey since it started in 2008, and also contributes to Inside Hockey. You can follow him on Twitter here.