The regular season has finally arrived, and for the first time in a long time, expectations for the Blackhawks are higher than “draft lottery hopeful”.
There is no easing in to the season, as the Blackhawks’ first test will be the defending Western Conference champions.
With additions such as Bowen Byram, Patrick Kane, and Roman Kantserov, the Blackhawks are no longer an easy two points for opposing teams. The Blackhawks are young, fast, and hungry, so capitalizing on teams like Vegas who are typically slow starters is key.
If the Blackhawks can rack up points in the standings early, it will be a lot easier for them to stay in the race as other teams start to get into the rhythm of the season.
The biggest factor of the night is obviously the absence of Connor Bedard, who skated alone prior to the Blackhawks morning skate. As usual, he was taking shots. According to Mark Lazerus of the Athletic, Bedard also “playfully delivered a shoulder check to the boards”.
Blackhawks Expected Lines
Moore – Kantserov – Kane
Donato – Nazar – Lardis
Bertuzzi – Frondell – Mangiapane
Smith – Greene – Greenway
Vlasic – Byram
Kaiser – Levshunov
Cole – Rinzel
Knight
Golden Knights Expected Lines
Barbashev – Eichel – Stone
Howden – Karlsson – Marner
Connolly – Hertl – Olofsson
Gatcomb – Dowd – Bowman
McNabb – Theodore
Wotherspoon – Andersson
Lauzon – Hanifan
Hart
Players to watch
Bowen Byram: Byram is making his regular season debut for the Blackhawks tonight. He was brought in to be a number one defenceman, an opportunity he has waited for his whole career. Byram dominated in the preseason, playing 25+ minutes, powerplay, penalty kill, and he even recorded a hattrick. If Byram is that dominant in the regular season, he will help make the Blackhawks a much better team.
Patrick Kane: Kane may be 37-years-old, but he still has it. Avergain 0.86 points per game over the last three seasons in Detroit, Kane is expected to be the top-six playmaker and powerplay specialist this team desperately needs. Not to mention he is a franchise icon, and a three-time Stanley Cup champion.