Game Day Preview: Frank Nazar and Blackhawks look for revenge against Red Wings

Chicago Blackhawks (0-1-0) vs Detroit Red Wings (1-0-0)

6 pm CT – Little Caesars Arena

TV: Blackhawks website & app

Radio: 720 AM (Wiedeman/Murray)

The Chicago Blackhawks are back at it tonight in the Motor City with a rematch against the Detroit Red Wings. Both teams will look different from what we saw in Wednesday night’s 4-2 Red Wings victory. The Blackhawks will have eight guys who played in the first game travel to Detroit. Amadeus Lombardi is the only Red Wing player who played in Chicago and is dressing tonight. By the way, how awesome of a name is Amadeus Lombardi?

Frank Nazar is one of those eight players dressing for the second straight game. He struggled in Wednesday’s preseason opener but improved as the game progressed. He will need a big night to build momentum towards making the NHL roster out of training camp.

Related Article: Craig Smith makes big first impression in Blackhawks loss to Red Wings

Lukas Reichel is making his preseason debut and will be on the top line and the first power-play unit. We have talked many times on the podcast about how this is a make-or-break season for him, so getting off on the right foot would be huge.

Goaltender Arvid Soderblom will get his first game action tonight. He will likely make the first road trip of the regular season with Laurent Brossoit nursing a knee injury, so any confidence he can build early will go a long way. He is expected to play the entire game tonight.

Quotables

“We’re out here diving and blocking shots in the third period to win a game. I appreciated that from the group. Still some things we got to clean up. Naturally, this time of year, we gave up some easy offense and odd-mans. Young guys played very well. Obviously, we won the special teams battle at the end of the night. A lot of positives, but a work in progress.” Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde

“He’s still a very big part of our organization. He’s had a good start for us last year. But, as our team got depleted and a bit slight on the back end, there were some backdoor goals. That shakes the confidence of a goaltender, and you just can’t get it back in this league by playing. Sometimes, you just have to work on your game. Like we had (Alex) Vlasic go down for a full year, even (Wyatt) Kaiser last year for half a season, and how much it did for them. The same thing goes for a goalie, maybe even more so. Arvid’s come in with a great attitude and is in great shape. So, we’re see where it goes.” Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson on Soderblom

“We still see him growing as a young player. I told him to be confident, shoot the puck, and take over the game tonight. He’ll probably have a matchup with a good line on the other side with their home change. I think he’s been strong in camp and skating well. I’d like to see him still shoot the puck more. When he does, good things happen. There’ll be an opportunity for him to do that on the first power-play unit and the top line tonight.” Richardson on Reichel

“It’s been fun. Off the ice, I like hanging out and talking with him. You play good hockey when you’re having fun. Playing with someone you enjoy being with makes it fun.” Nazar on playing with Nick Lardis

Blackhawks Preseason Leaders

G-Craig Smith/Teuvo Teravainen (1)
A-Connor Bedard/T.J. Brodie/Ryan Donato (1)
P-5 tied with 1
PPG-N/A
SOG-Smith/Teravainen (5)
PIM-Frank Nazar/Brodie/Smith (2)

Red Wings Preseason Leaders

G-Olli Maatta/Tyler Motte/Lucas Raymond/Jeff Petry (1)
A-8 tied with 1
P-12 tied with 1
PPG-Raymond (1)
SOG-Dylan Larkin (6)
PIM-4 tied with 1

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Nick Lardis-Frank Nazar-Lukas Reichel
Landon Slaggert-A.J. Spellacy-Craig Smith
Colton Dach-Cole Guttman-Gavin Hayes
Zach Sanford-Paul Ludwinski-Joey Anderson 
Defensemen
Kevin Korchinski-T.J. Brodie
Nolan Allan-Louis Crevier
Isaak Phillips-Austin Strand 

Red Wings Probable Lines

Forwards
Jonatan Berggren-J.T. Compher-Vladimir Tarasenko
Michael Rasmussen-Andrew Copp-Christian Fischer
Alex Chiasson-Nate Danielson-Joe Snively
Isaac Ratcliffe-Amadeus Lombardi-Cross Hanas
Defensemen
Ben Chiarot-Mortiz Seider
William Wallinder-Eemil Viro
William Lagesson-Antti Tuomisto

Goaltending Matchup

Arvid Soderblom (Ben Gaudreau) vs Alex Lyon (Cam Talbot)

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