Blackhawks Game Day Preview: Frank Nazar to make season debut against Devils

Chicago Blackhawks (9-18-2, 20 pts) @ New Jersey Devils (19-10-3, 41 pts)
Noon CT – Prudential Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang), NHLN (out of market)
Radio: 720 AM (Wiedeman/Murray)

The Chicago Blackhawks will wrap up their three-game road trip at the New Jersey Devils. Last season, the Devils were derailed by injuries and the lack of goaltending. They acquired former Vezina Trophy finalist Jacob Markstrom in the offseason to solve the problems between the pipes, and they’ve had relatively good health. All this has led to the second-most points in the Eastern Conference.

It is easy to see why the Devils have been so good. Their lineup makes sense. They have a dynamic and dangerous top six, a third line that can score and play shutdown defense, and a traditional checking line. They are in the top 10 in goals per game, shots per game, goals against per game, power play, and penalty kill. They play all facets of the game well.

Today’s game has a real buzz after Frank Nazar was recalled Friday morning. The 2022 first-round pick had 11 goals and 24 points in 21 games with the Rockford IceHogs. He excelled playing under Anders Sorensen, so the Blackhawks hope they can have the same magic together in Chicago. He will center the second line with veterans Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi. Between Nazar’s return and Connor Bedard’s three-game point streak, this team is finally creating some buzz.

Related Article – What is a fair expectation for Frank Nazar?

Drew Commesso will make his first NHL start today. He came in to relieve Arvid Soderblom on Thursday and stopped both shots he faced.

Season Series

12/14 @ NJD
3/26 vs NJD

Quotables

“I was kinda shocked. You get a random call at night from the GM at night, you can expect what he’s going to say, but you never know. To hear the good news, it was a lot of joy.”

Frank Nazar

“It’s nice to have someone I know and trust and have a good relationship with. I know he’s going to give good feedback to help out in areas where I need it. He told me to be me and enjoy it. The same thing as always: just play your game and stick to what you know.”

Nazar on having Anders Sorensen here.

“Trust his instincts. He’s been playing really well down there. He can drive the puck and play his game. After the game, we’ll talk more. We know his game, and we’re excited to see him here. We’ll take day-by-day.”

Sorensen on Nazar

“It should be good. All of them can skate. There should be a lot of pace on that line, and Bert can clear some space around the net.”  

Sorensen on the new second line.

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Ryan Donato (10)
A-Connor Bedard (18)
P-Connor Bedard (24)
PPG-Teuvo Teravainen (4)
SOG-Bedard (73)
PIM-Connor Murphy (32)

Devils Team Leaders

G-Nico Hischier (15)
A-Jesper Bratt/Jack Hughes (26)
P-Bratt (39)
PPG-Stefan Noesen (6)
SOG-Hughes (110)
PIM-Brendan Dillon (37)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.45 (30^th)
GA/G-3.17 (22^nd)
PP%-24.0 (11^th)
PK%-83.1 (5^th)
SOG/G-25.9 (30^th)
SA/G-30.1 (27^th)
FO%-43.5 (31^st)
PIM/G-7:24 (10th)

Devils Team Stats

GF/G-3.31 (7^th)
GA/G-2.66 (6^th)
PP%-30.9 (1^st)
PK%-81.3 (9^th)
SOG/G-30.4 (7^th)
SA/G-26.3 (17^th)
FO%-49.9 (18^th)
PIM/G-9:13 (23^rd)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Philipp Kurashev-Connor Bedard-Ryan Donato
Taylor Hall-Frank Nazar-Tyler Bertuzzi
Nick Foligno-Jason Dickinson-Ilya Mikheyev
Pat Maroon-Lukas Reichel-Teuvo Teravainen

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

Scratched:
D-Louis Crevier, F-Joey Anderson

Injured:
G-Laurent Brossoit (knee), D-Seth Jones (foot), G-Petr Mrazek (groin), Alec Martinez (neck), F-Craig Smith (back)

Devils Probable Lines

Forwards
Ondrej Palat-Jack Hughes-Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier-Nico Hischier-Dawson Mercer
Paul Cotter-Erik Haula-Stefan Noesen
Kurtis MacDermid-Justin Dowling-Nathan Bastian

Defensemen
Brendan Dillon-Dougie Hamilton
Jonas Siegenthaler-Johnathan Kovacevic
Luke Hughes-Brett Pesce

Scratched
F-Tomas Tatar, D-Colton White

Injured
G-Jake Allen (upper body), F-Curtis Lazar (knee), D-Santeri Hatakka (shoulder)

Goaltending Matchup

Drew Commesso (0-0-0, 1.00 SV%, 0.00 GAA, 0 SO) vs Jacob Markstrom (14-6-2, .907 SV%, 2.41 GAA, 1 SO)

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