The Blackhawks visit Dallas for the second time this season. In the initial series, the Hawks beat the Stars 2-1 twice in overtime with Alex DeBrincat and Pius Suter netting the OT GWGs.
This week's set could have similar low-scoring results as the Hawks move on from the stingiest team in the Lightning as far as goals against to the the seventh stingiest team in the Stars.
The Hawks must bounce back from a deflating loss that saw a 3-0 lead evaporate quickly on Sunday as the Bolts rallied to tally 6 unanswered goals as they sent the Chicago defense into a downward spiral.
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Game Day
Game 27, March 9: Blackhawks @ Stars 7:30pm CST
Records: Blackhawks, 13-8-5, 31 Pts (4th) Stars, 7-8-5, 19 Pts (7th)
Season Series: 2-0-0
Goals For/Game: Blackhawks, 3.08 (14th) Stars, 2.80 (20th)
Goals Against/Game: Blackhawks, 3.00 (17th) Stars, 2.55 (7th)
Power Play: Blackhawks, 24-77, 31.2% (2nd) Stars, 19-74, 25.7% (7th)
Penalty Kill: Blackhawks, 58-80, 72.5% (27th) Stars, 58-74, 78.4% (16th)
For Dallas, Tyler Seguin, Roope Hintz, and John Klingberg are considered day-to-day. Alexander Radulov is on IR while Stephen Johns and Ben Bishop remain on LTIR.
Also, neither the Hawks nor the Stars have any players on the NHL COVID-19 Protocol List. In fact, there are only 2 players league wide on the list and both are Sharks (Tomas Hertl and Marcus Sorensen).
The Stars projected lineup (per DailyFaceoff.com):
Benn - Pavelski - Gurianov Robertson - Dickinson - Kiviranta Caamano - Faksa - Comeau Cogliano - Dellandrea - L'Esperance
Lindell - Pysyk Oleksiak - Heiskanen Hanley - Sekera
Khudobin Oettinger
Also available: Rhett Gardner (W), Tanner Kero (C), Taylor Fedun (D), Landon Bow (G).
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Roster Updates
Taxi Squad
ROSTER MOVES: Forwards Brandon Pirri and Reese Johnson and defenseman Nicolas Beaudin were re-assigned to the taxi squad from Rockford.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 8, 2021
Goaltender Collin Delia was recalled from his conditioning assignment and Matt Tomkins was re-assigned to Rockford.@Enterprise | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/sZ4vohKPxw
Connor Murphy
Connor Murphy wasn't levied with a suspension after his hit that impacted the head of Lightning defender Erik Cernak who was fortunately able to get back on the ice to practice yesterday.
Lineup Impact
It's doubtful Pirri makes it into a game unless there are extensive injuries and/or illnesses in the forward ranks. Johnson could rotate in for Matthew Highmore or be the 12th forward along with him.
If going with 12 forwards, Lucas Wallmark is centering the 4th line with Ryan Carpenter and one of Highmore or Johnson. But if there are 11 forwards, only one of Wallmark, Highmore, or Johnson dresses.
With Murphy and Beaudin available on defense, however, look for the 11F/7D format to continue so that the cadre of youngsters can take turns getting their reps in at the NHL level.
Possible iterations of the lineup:
DeBrincat - Suter - Kane Janmark - Soderberg - Kurashev Kubalik - Kampf - Hagel Highmore/Johnson - (Wallmark) - Carpenter
Keith - Mitchell Zadorov - Boqvist Beaudin - Murphy Carlsson/Kalynuk
Lankinen Subban
With 7 on D, there is likely a platoon of rookies that has two of Beaudin, Lucas Carlsson, and Wyatt Kalynuk starting. The calculus gets more complex once Calvin de Haan is healthy again.
Like Pirri, it seems highly improbable now that Madison Bowey slots in unless the defensive depth starts to get depleted. He remains a serviceable rearguard, though, if dire straits happen.
As for Delia, expect him to get his first start since mid-January at some point during the road trip in Dallas, Miami, and Tampa Bay. Malcolm Subban is sure to get at least one start as well.
Kevin Lankinen should get the lion's share of the workload not only on the three-city road swing but also during the subsequent homestand when the Predators, Lightning, and Panthers roll into Chicago.
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Special Teams
Power Play
It's amazing that the Hawks maintain their perch as one of the best power play teams in the NHL despite their horrible entries and ineptitude at consistently setting up once in the offensive zone.
If the Hawks can clean up both entries and set ups, they will have a formidable power play that dominates and pressures the other team for the entire time it takes to record a goal.
Even though many teams across the league employ it, the "push 'em back" style of rushing up ice seems to be one reason that momentum gets crushed as it causes most of the Hawks players to be stationary.
While the cartoonish "Flying V" of the Disney Mighty Ducks isn't the exact solution, having all players entering the zone with speed would have the other team on its toes and disrupt attempts to telegraph.
Penalty Kill
A few weeks ago, the Hawks were sitting in the league's upper third on the penalty kill but have nosedived near rock bottom since then and enter tonight's contest at 27th. They went 1-for-5 on Sunday.
One way the Hawks can improve on the PK is by gaining inside positioning on whoever is crashing the crease to ensure the goalie has eyes while the other killers are sealing off passing lanes.
This is where playing a tight box versus having an aggressive strategy to pursue the puck may depend on the opponent. The former makes sense against teams with top power plays like the Lightning and Stars.
Teams like the Predators, Blue Jackets, and Predators are a different breed as they are in the latter half of the NHL on the power play. A more active approach to the penalty kill may be in order versus them.
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Kirby Dach
Happy Monday, indeed.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 8, 2021
Kirby Dach joined optional practice this morning! #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ptUiByawMY
Seems to be a bit too much excitement about the fact Kirby Dach is traveling with the Blackhawks on their upcoming trip. He's still nowhere close to returning.
— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) March 8, 2021
His 4-5 month time horizon means late April. I'd say mid-April is best-case scenario for Hawks.
No doubt that this is progress for both Dach and the Hawks. Yet, the optics shouldn't be deceiving fans into thinking he is close to making his season debut. It's best to not rush him.
There's really no reason for him to play sooner than he is ready and cleared by doctors as the full rehab could mean long-term benefits. The short-term pay off to bring him back ahead of schedule is risky.
Assuming he's on target to return by mid-April, then he could play 13 games and possibly 14 if the postponed game on February 20 against the Hurricanes gets rescheduled for after April 15.
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Jack Eichel
There have been suggested trade scenarios for the Blackhawks to bring elite center Jack Eichel into the fold. A few poignant reasons exist, though, as to why this wouldn't be an advisable transaction.
Eichel earns $10M through 2025-26. It remains to be seen how Brent Seabrook on LTIR impacts the Chicago salary cap until his deal ends in 2023-24. The uncertainty of Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw looms, too.
General manager Stan Bowman and assistant GM Kyle Davidson who is the team's capologist could find a way to fit in Eichel's salary by maneuvering around LTIR and making additional moves.
However, the budding youth at forward, on defense, and in net will need to get paid and there could be many who could command serious coin when their ELCs expire. Even bridge deals would add up.
Alex DeBrincat is playing at a clip where he would get another handsome raise if he keeps it up. Then there's Dominik Kubalik on a modest bridge deal but pushing the envelope with enhanced overall play.
Putting aside both his extraordinary talent as well as the dollars and cents, another factor that is more critical to consider is how would Eichel fit on the team and contribute to a group effort.
Yes, the rebuilding Blackhawks have a ways to go to emerge again as a contender, yet their surprising success thus far this season is a byproduct of the sum of all the team's parts not because of one player.
Eichel's reputation in the league isn't exactly favorable and many view him as unable to be part of a team-first environment. He would arguably be the antithesis to what the Hawks are trying to create.
Since the offseason, management has professed a reboot toward sustainability predicated on work ethic, compete level, and team before individuals. So far, the team has been staying on brand.
Bringing in Eichel, though, would flush that brand down the toilet. Once the team is on the cusp of perennial contention, Eichel isn't a Marian Hossa type of player who will put them over the top.
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Rockford Updates
On the Move: We have loaned goalie Tom Aubrun to @IndyFuel and signed defenseman Cliff Watson to a PTO. https://t.co/gFLRjWr33A
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 8, 2021
Bringing aboard Cliff Watson on a PTO also makes sense. When taking into account Beaudin and Kalynuk back with the Hawks, the Hogs blueline was lacking in reserve players. Watson provides some depth.
Regula - Franson Phillips - Moberg Osipov - Krutil Watson
Injured: Krys, Lindholm
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See you on the boards!