It’s Blackhawks game day. The Hawks take on the Boston Bruins tonight at 6 pm CT. Before we get into the preview, some quick housekeeping. For the lineups, there’s no way I’m doing this for every preview. Expect future editions to feature no pictures. Just names and stats (which are super easy to pull). Pictures take way too much time.
Ron Luce from On Tap Sports Net has today’s How To Watch in the link below:
Chicago Blackhawks
Starting Lineup
Roster Construction
Alex Vlasic returns to the lineup tonight to play his first game of the season. We’ll get a look at Sam Rinzel partnered with a real top-pairing defenseman. Matt Grzelyck returns to his rightful spot on the bottom pair, and Ethan Del Mastro sits this one out.
Colton Dach is slotted in next to Connor Bedard. This is interesting, considering he wasn’t able to score on Bedard’s beautiful pass against the Panthers. Dach played 13:48 last game and had four hits. While I think he’s fine, he isn’t a top-line wing. Jeff Blashill may be trying to give Bedard a player who can be physical on the forecheck. Or maybe he just wants a young player with Bedard. I don’t know, you tell me.
Arvid Soderblom is in net, and yes, in the lineup card above, that’s Spencer Knights’ SV% from last year (the other goalie stats are his).
Boston Bruins
Starting Lineup
Roster Construction
The Boston Bruins aren’t the team they once were. They finished last season in last place in the Atlantic Division. Even though they won their first game of the season yesterday, 3-1 against the Washington Capitals, the Bruins are expected to finish near the bottom once again.
Unlike the game against the Panthers, this will be a better gauge of where the Hawks are. How can they compete against a team that’s actually beatable? My expectations are that David Pastrnak will be the only real threat (he had a goal and two assists yesterday) and that the Hawks should be able to win this one. There might be turnovers from Artyom Levshunov, but the Hawks’ speed should be able to capitalize on the Bruins’ lack of the same.
News Worth Reading
Kyle May Have Been Right About One Thing — Sam Fels (Sam Fels But Who’s Buying)
Alex Vlasic ready to continue his evolution on and off the ice for Blackhawks — Scott Powers (The Athletic)