It’s only the third game of the season for the Blackhawks and it already feels like a must win game.
After losing both of their first two games by wide margins, 5-2 to Vegas and 6-0 to Utah, fans are worried that this will be another bottom of the league season.
Players, coaches, and the GM all publicly said that playoffs are the expectation this season, and being at the bottom of the league is no longer an option, leaving fans and media with high expectations.
This is the last game before the home opener vs St. Louis on Tuesday, and if the Blackhawks hit the United Center ice 0-3, the reception might not be so warm.
Who’s in, who’s out
Spencer Knight gets the start tonight. Arvid Soderblom by no means played bad against Utah, although he did let in six goals, but the team as a whole played miserably and did not give him a chance whatsoever.
Blashill has resorted to similar lines from training camp. Regardless of how tonight goes, keeping consistent lines is key until Connor Bedard returns. There is some bad news, however, Bowen Byram was not one the ice during morning. (Via Ben Pope on X)
Via Matthew Fairburn on X, Bowen Byram won’t play tonight because he is tending to a family matter.
Blackhawks projected lines:
Kantserov – Nazar – Kane
Bertuzzi – Frondell – Teravainen
Donato – Moore – Lardis
Smith – Greene – Greenway
*Defenceman all rotating
Both Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski will make their season debuts tonight, as confirmed by Blashill. Korchinski in particular had a really impressive camp and preseason. I feel he should have been in the opening night lineup, better late than never.
Sam Rinzel will be scratched tonight, no surprise, as he has been subpar at best to start this season and could really use a reset.
Sabres projected lines:
Norris – Thompson – Doan
Benson – Ostlund – Quinn
Krebs – Mcleod – Helenius
Kulich – Carrick – Malenstyn
Dahlin – Samuelsson
Power – Zellweger
Grzelcyk – Crevier
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
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