The Blackhawks look to take the 3-game series at 2-0-1 by besting the Lightning in this afternoon's rubber match. Can the Hawks play a solid 60 in all zones so the outcome reflects the productivity?
Compared to the season-opening series when the Hawks were dominated losing by at least 3 goals in both games, this series has been a 180 with a greater compete level and games determined by a single goal.
--
Game Day
Game 26, March 7: Blackhawks vs Lightning 1:30pm CST
Records: Blackhawks, 13-7-5, 31 Pts (4th) Lightning, 16-4-2, 34 Pts (1st)
Season Series: 1-2-1
Goals For/Game: Blackhawks, 3.08 (14th) Lightning, 3.50 (1st)
Goals Against/Game: Blackhawks, 2.88 (15th) Lightning, 2.00 (1st)
Power Play: Blackhawks, 23-73, 31.5% (1st) Lightning, 19-75, 25.3% (8th)
Penalty Kill: Blackhawks, 57-75, 76.0% (22nd) Lightning, 68-77, 88.3% (2nd)
Even though Malcolm Subban turned in a bounce-back effort that had a thrilling ending on Friday, look for Kevin Lankinen to get back the net and likely the next few starts as the Hawks head back on the road.
The Chicago starting forwards should remain the same but the D pairs will be mixed up assuming Calvin de Haan is unavailable in order to nurse the injury he sustained blocking a shot in the last game:
DeBrincat - Suter - Kane Kubalik - Kampf - Hagel Janmark - Soderberg - Kurashev Highmore - Wallmark - Carpenter
Keith - Mitchell Zadorov - Boqvist Bowey/Carlsson/Kalynuk - Murphy
Lankinen Subban
--
Subban vs Lehner
Malcolm Subban stopped 39 shots in last night’s victory.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 6, 2021
He is ð˜¼ð™‡ð™Žð™Š 6-0 in his career in a shootout and has stopped 21 of 22 shots in those appearances.@RotoRooter | #BetweenThePipes pic.twitter.com/aJxx2eEuRI
--
Roster Updates
ROSTER MOVES: Defensemen Wyatt Kalynuk and Lucas Carlsson were recalled to the #Blackhawks active roster from the Rockford IceHogs.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 6, 2021
Forward Dylan Strome (concussion protocol) was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 19. #Blackhawks https://t.co/6htcnp5pDD
So if the recall is based on merit, Carlsson and Kalynuk are justified while Beaudin continues to work on areas of improvement in the AHL. One of those areas is executing defensively while under pressure.
With de Haan temporarily on the shelf, there are a few options for rolling out the D pairs. One option is playing one of the rookies Carlsson or Kalynuk:
Keith - Mitchell Zadorov - Boqvist Carlsson/Kalynuk - Murphy
Or perhaps the coaches go with Madison Bowey instead:
Keith - Mitchell Zadorov - Boqvist Bowey - Murphy
--
Rockford Updates
The IceHogs earned their second win of the season after a solid performance by Collin Delia who made 37 saves while looking more composed in net and tracking pucks much better than his prior outings.
Starting Lineup
Projected Lines: 🎶 We are the youth gone WILD! 🎶
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 6, 2021
Lookin' good vs. @IAWild tonight. Puck drops in 30 min. Tune in!
📺: #AHLTV & @23WIFR
📻: @Sportsfan1330
📱: https://t.co/opQNnUh1E3 & IceHogs app pic.twitter.com/U2c5vW9c8K
Highlights 🎥: Cody Franson grabs 2G, 1A, Nic Beaudin 3A and Collin Delia makes 35 saves including a Save of the Year candidate in a 3-2 win over @IAWild https://t.co/LuBryobSGE
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 7, 2021
The Wild passed the puck deceptively right to left behind the net to fake out Delia as Gabriel Dumont received the pass in the slot. Isaak Phillips got caught puck watching instead of covering Dumont.
2nd Goal: Franson (1-1)
Andrei Altybarmakian moved the puck low to high along the end boards and up the left side to Nicolas Beaudin who fed it to Cody Franson at the right point. Franson fired a slapper into the back of the twine.
3rd Goal: Chalupa (2-1)
Franson began the breakout from behind Delia and made a stretch pass to Beaudin in the neutral zone who then found Matej Chalupa streaking down the left lane. Chalupa sent a rocket home from the left circle.
4th Goal: Franson (3-1) PP
Beaudin and Brandon Pirri rotated the puck amongst themselves on the right side before dishing to Franson whose floating wrister had eyes and snuck through Wild goalie Hunter Jones' five hole.
5th Goal: McLeod (3-2)
Dmitry Osipov and Michael Krutil couldn't contain Cody McLeod in the slot who stuffed a loose puck after Delia made an initial save from Josh Atkinson's point shot.
Player Notes
What. a. SAVE!!!!!!!!!!!@__deals with an early Save of the Year candidate! #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/0WpCaBJx6I
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 7, 2021
Beaudin collected 3 assists and now has 6 of them in 3 games so far since being sent down to Rockford. Most notable about last night's contest was his sleek puck movement and much improved defense.
Chalupa had his best game as a Hog on Saturday. He had several prime scoring chances in addition to his goal. Leveraging his size, he was heavy on the forecheck and industrious on the cycle.
This game also had a lot of nastiness. Altybarmakian and Evan Barratt were little balls of hate agitating and playing to the whistle. Also, neither backed down when the Wild double and tripled them.
--
See you on the boards!