Blackhawks Game Day Preview: Lines tinkered with again before taking on Kraken

Chicago Blackhawks (6-9-1, 13 pts) vs Seattle Kraken (7-8-1, 15 pts)
9:00 pm CT – Climate Pledge Arena
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang)
Radio: 720 AM (Wiedeman/Murray)

The Chicago Blackhawks want to build off Sunday’s overtime victory over the Minnesota Wild. They are off to the Pacific Northwest for a quick two-game trip against the Seattle Kraken tonight and the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Head coach Luke Richardson has once again mixed up his lines. However, it’s not only because of his continued search for the right combinations but also because he wants to play the matchups. This is something he couldn’t do last year with an injury-depleted roster. Connor Bedard will be joined by Philipp Kurashev and Teuvo Teravainen on the top line. These are two players he’s had success with in the past. Defenseman Alec Martinez, who has been out with a groin injury since Oct. 15, will be a game-time decision tonight. Ricardson would not confirm who would come out of the lineup if Martinez plays, but based on yesterday’s rushes, Nolan Allan will be the odd man out.

The Blackhawks are 3-5-1 all-time versus the Kraken and have just one win in five visits to the Climate Pledge Arena. Seth Jones has enjoyed playing against Seattle since they joined the league. He has three goals and 11 points in seven games versus the Kraken, including points in five straight contests.

The Kraken won their last two games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights despite trailing 2-0 in each contest. Overall, they have only three wins in their last 10 games. Jaren McCann leads Seattle with eight goals and 19 points. The veteran winger has 11 goals and 17 points in 17 career games against the Blackhawks.

Season Series

11/14 @ SEA
12/19 vs SEA
3/18 vs SEA

Quotables

“He (Bedard) has to find that consistency no matter who he’s playing with. We do have to look at the numbers and see who he’s played well with, like everyone else, and maybe go back to it. It’s in the bingo machine today, with what will work well against a good skating team in Seattle and then a really strong team in Vancouver. So, we’re going to look at who is going to have the most success with who against those two teams. It’s just a short picture, not the long version. That will settle itself out.”

Richardson on building his lines for this two-game trip.  

“It’s part on the player and part on the coaches to find a rhythm. It’s tough. We have a lot of new bodies that can play everywhere. You are put where you need to be put, and if you find some rhythm, it’s great, and the team gets on a roll. We haven’t gotten on a roll either. Usually, that breeds more consistency and chemistry with your linemates. It’s a matter of finding the right recipe.”

Nick Foligno on line changes.

“Any athlete wants to play. Injuries are an unfortunate part of our game, but everyone gets them and goes through them. It was good to get back with the guys and get closer to game action.”

Alec Martinez

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Ryan Donato (7)
A-Connor Bedard (10)
P-Connor Bedard (13)
PPG-Teuvo Teravainen/Tyler Bertuzzi (3)
SOG-Bedard (52)
PIM-Pat Maroon (26)

Kraken Team Leaders

G-Jared McCann (8)
A-McCann (11)
P-McCann (19)
PPG-McCann/Brandon Montour (2)
SOG-Montour (48)
PIM-Yanni Gourde (30)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.50 (26^th)
GA/G-3.06 (13^th)
PP%-20.8 (12^th)
PK%-79.2 (18^th)
SOG/G-27.3 (25^th)
SA/G-31.1 (27^th)
FO%-45.6 (29^th)
PIM/G-8:45 (15^h)

Kraken Team Stats

GF/G-3.00 (17^th)
GA/G-3.13 (16^th)
PP%-18.4 (19^th)
PK%-78.0 (20^th)
SOG/G-27.1 (27^th)
SA/G-30.1 (23^rd)
FO%-48.6 (24^th)
PIM/G-8:48 (16^th)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Philipp Kurashev-Connor Bedard-Teuvo Teravainen
Taylor Hall-Nick Foligno -Tyler Bertuzzi
Joey Anderson-Jason Dickinson-Ryan Donato
Pat Maroon-Lukas Reichel-Craig Smith

Defensemen
Alec Martinez-Seth Jones
Alex Vlasic-Connor Murphy
Wyatt Kaiser-T.J. Brodie

Scratched:
F- Ilya Mikheyev, D-Nolan Allan

Injured:
G-Laurent Brossoit (knee)

Kraken Probable Lines

Forwards
Jaren McCann-Matty Beniers-Jordan Eberle
Jaden Schwartz-Chandler Stephenson-Oliver Bjorkstrand
Eeli Tolvanen-Shane Wright-Andre Burakovsky
Tye Kartye-Yanni Gourde-Brandon Tanev

Defensemen
Ryker Evans-Adam Larsson
Jamie Oleksiak-Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura-Will Borgen

Scratched
F-Daniel Sprong,

Injured
D-Vince Dunn (upper body)

Goaltending Matchup

Petr Mrazek (5-7-0, .905 SV%, 2.85 GAA, 0 SO) vs Joey Daccord (6-3-1, .896 SV%, 3.13 GAA, 0 SO)

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