The Blackhawks and Blue Jackets are slated for a game this evening but there is a possibility that the game could be postponed due to mounting COVID concerns.
Chris Johnston on Saturday Headlines says tomorrow’s #CBJ/#Blackhawks game is in doubt due to CHI’s Covid situation
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) January 31, 2021
Today the @NHL announced that forward Ryan Carpenter and defenseman Nicolas Beaudin were placed in COVID-19 Protocol. https://t.co/uAgvu62OZj
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 30, 2021
As of this moment, the Blackhawks and Red Wings have the most players in the COVID-19 protocol with 5. A total of 22 players league-wide are in.
— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) January 30, 2021
Anaheim and Ottawa are listed as TBA for today.
Game Day
Game 10, January 31: Blackhawks vs Blue Jackets 6:00pm CST
Records: Blackhawks, 2-4-3, 7 Pts Blue Jackets, 4-2-3, 11 Pts
Season Series: 0-1-0
Power Play: Blackhawks, 10-28, 35.7% Blue Jackets, 3-24, 12.5%
Penalty Kill: Blackhawks, 27-35, 77.1% Blue Jackets, 17-20, 85.0%
Joonas Korpisalo was on point between the pipes for the Jackets, especially with high-danger scoring chances. Does he remain in net or does Columbus turn to Elvis Merzlikins?
Either way, the high amount of such scoring chances means the Hawks were able to penetrate the Jackets defense. Game fate could be different by doing that again and converting a few.
Drive hard to and attack the slot plus have numbers down low to get rebounds yet play smart by having two back in case the Jackets regain the puck and flip the ice quickly.
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Lineup Considerations
Forwards
With 4th line fixture Carpenter and up-and-coming blueliner Beaudin sidelined, does this force head coach Jeremy Colliton's hand to revert back to 12 forwards and 6 D-men?
Expect Matthew Highmore to draw back in unless he has fallen out of favor or has a health issue and at least one taxi squad forward gets a chance to take the 11th and/or 12th spots.
Brandon Pirri has the most experience but doesn't fit the play-the-youth trend. This could be MacKenzie Entwistle, Reese Johnson, and/or Michal Teply's shot to make their NHL debut.
The Chicago offense is starting to dry up ever since the Detroit series so a goal scorer like Teply could be a solution. However, Entwistle and Johnson offer greater compete level.
Defensemen
On the back end, Lucas Carlsson would likely stay in as the 6th defender with regulars Duncan Keith, Connor Murphy, Calvin de Haan, Nikita Zadorov, and Ian Mitchell.
However, Colliton could maintain 11 forwards and 7 D-men by penciling Wyatt Kalynuk into the lineup replacing Beaudin in the rotation with Mitchell and Carlsson.
Or Kalynuk could replace Carlsson if the coaching staff decides to roll the standard 6 on the blueline. Another option is giving Mitchell a rest and letting Kalynuk have his turn.
Goalies
Then for the starting goalie, Kevin Lankinen seems to be a given at this point if there aren't games in consecutive days. If not, trust seems to be with Malcolm Subban as 2nd string.
Possible Lineups
Possible lineup if 12F/6D:
Janmark - Suter - Kane Kurashev - Strome - Kubalik Hagel - Soderberg - Shaw Entwistle/Johnson - Kampf - Highmore
Keith - Carlsson de Haan - Mitchell Zadorov - Murphy
Lankinen Subban
Possible lineup if 11F/7D:
Janmark - Suter - Kane Kurashev - Strome - Kubalik Shaw - Soderberg - (Kane) Kampf + 2 of Hagel/Highmore/Entwistle/Johnson
Keith - Carlsson de Haan - Mitchell Zadorov - Murphy Kalynuk
Lankinen Subban
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See you on the boards!