Detroit — Dominik Kubalik went through it to an extent during the exhibition season, playing in Chicago where he's spent the last three seasons.
But that's the preseason, with few people in the stands and the game simply not meaning much.
But Friday's game at United Center will be different. A sellout crowd for the Blackhawks' home opener, a game that means something in the standings, and Kubalik's first game against his former team.
"I'm excited," Kubalik said after Thursday's practice. "I'm kind of happy I already went through it in the preseason but after three years, it's always nice to be able to play against them.