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Blackhawks Gameday Preview: Blackhawks look to reach three-game win-streak against Kraken

Jay Zawaski Avatar
December 19, 2024
USATSI 24764355 scaled e1734638069732

Chicago Blackhawks (11-19-2, 24pts) vs Seattle Kraken (15-16-2, 32 pts)
7:30 pm CT – United Center
TV: CHSN+ (Ball/Pang)
Radio: 720 AM (Wiedeman/Murray)

The Chicago Blackhawks are back in action tonight as they host the Seattle Kraken. The Hawks will be looking for their third consecutive win. Meanwhile, the Kraken, fresh on the heels of acquiring Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers on Wednesday, are coming off of consecutive losses to Tampa Bay and Ottawa, during which they were outscored a combined 8-1.

The Blackhawks are looking for their first winning streak of three or more games since February 17-25, 2023 when they won five-straight games. Imagine that!

Chicago went 3-for-3 on the penalty-kill during Tuesday night’s comeback win over the Washington Capitals. The Blackhawks come into tonight’s game with a penalty-kill streak of 27 consecutive penalties killed and scored their first shorthanded goal of the season on Tuesday night thanks to Ilya Mikheyev.

In injury news, goaltender Petr Mrazek was activated from IR this morning and will be the backup to Arvid Söderblom tonight. Defensemen Seth Jones and Alec Martinez were on the ice ahead of today’s morning skate. Sorensen said Jones is “day-by-day,” and his return is close too.

Season Series

11/14 @ SEA – 3-1 Loss
12/19 vs SEA
3/18 vs SEA

Quotables

“There’s a group of us that take a lot of pride in it. A lot of the guys that are killing penalties are playing on the powerplay, so it’s our opportunity to make a difference for our club. Some nights you feel like you do everything right and one goes in, but right now we feel like we are playing off of each other really well and not allowing teams to get into their game. It’s important when other team’s skilled players don’t feel like they’re touching the puck or playing with time and space, it can leak into their five-on-five game too.” Nick Foligno on penalty-killing success and mindset.

“He’s a smart player, knows where to be. He knows how to break the puck out and get up the ice. Being able to lean on him has been awesome and he can bail me out so it’s been good.” Kevin Korchinski on playing alongside T.J. Brodie.

“We really like him playing down the middle and playing with the puck in motion in the center of the ice.” Anders Sorensen on Connor Bedard playing center vs wing.

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Ryan Donato (11)
A-Connor Bedard (19)
P-Connor Bedard (26)
PPG-Teuvo Teravainen (5)
SOG-Bedard (79)
PIM-Connor Murphy (34)

Kraken Team Leaders

G-Oliver Bjokrstrand/Jared McCann (11)
A-Chandler Stephenson (18)
P-McCann (26)
PPG-Shane Wright (4)
SOG-Brandon Montour (98)
PIM-Yanni Gourde (34)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.50 (30th)
GA/G-3.16 (23rd)
PP%-22.6 (12th)
PK%-85.0 (4th)
SOG/G-25.5 (30th)
SA/G-29.7 (26th)
FO%-43.1 (31st)
PIM/G-7:24 (8th)

Kraken Team Stats

GF/G-2.88 (21st)
GA/G-2.97 (14th)
PP%-18.0 (23rd)
PK%-79.5. (17th)
SOG/G-27.1 (27th)
SA/G
-28.6 (18th)
FO%-48.3 (25th)
PIM/G-6:25 (3rd)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Nick Foligno-Connor Bedard-Ryan Donato
Taylor Hall-Frank Nazar-Tyler Bertuzzi
Teuvo Teräväinen-Jason Dickinson-Ilya Mikheyev
Pat Maroon-Lukas Reichel-Joey Anderson

Defensemen
Alex Vlasic-Wyatt Kaiser
Nolan Allan-Connor Murphy
Kevin Korchinski-T.J. Brodie

Scratched:
Wyatt Kaiser, Philipp Kurashev

Injured:
Laurent Brossoit (knee), Seth Jones (foot), Alec Martinez (neck), Craig Smith (back)

Kraken Probable Lines

Forwards
Jaden Schwartz-Matty Benders-Brandon Tanev
Jared McCann-Chandler Stephenson-Andre Burakovsky
Eeli-Tolvanen-Shane Wright-Oliver Bjorkstrand
Tye Kartye-Mitchell Stephens-Ryan Winterton
(Kaako Kappo* expected to play)

Defensemen
Vince Dunn-Adam Larsson
Jamie Oleksiak-Brandon Montour
Ryker Evans-Josh Mahura

Scratched
Daniel Sprong

Injured
Jordan Eberle (IR), Yanni Gourde (OUT)

Goaltending Matchup

Arvid Söderblom (4-7-1, .909 SV%, 2.70 GAA, 0 SO) vs Joey Daccord (12-7-2, .915 SV%, 2.46 GAA, 1 SO)

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