The Blackhawks look for revenge versus the Stars after being mauled 6-1 on Tuesday. Improvements in defensive coverage, net protection, passing, and sustained offensive pressure are on the task list.
After tonight's game, the Hawks will hit the halfway mark of the 56-game regular season. A victory brings Chicago at a .500 record with 14 wins and 14 losses (9 in regulation + 5 in overtime or the shootout).
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Game Day
Game 28, March 11: Blackhawks @ Stars 7:30pm CST
Records: Blackhawks, 13-9-5, 31 Pts (4th) Stars, 8-8-5, 21 Pts (7th)
Season Series: 2-1-0
Goals For/Game: Blackhawks, 3.00 (16th) Stars, 2.95 (17th)
Goals Against/Game: Blackhawks, 3.11 (22nd) Stars, 2.48 (5th)
Power Play: Blackhawks, 24-79, 30.4% (2nd) Stars, 20-77, 26.0% (9th)
Penalty Kill: Blackhawks, 60-83, 72.3% (28th) Stars, 60-76, 79.0% (16th)
While it would make sense to trot out Kevin Lankinen after Malcolm Subban gave up 6 in the last outing, it could prove beneficial to Subban's growth to throw him in net again to see how he responds.
Remember, in Lankinen's last start, he also gave up 6 versus the Lightning after being granted a 3-0 lead. Battling through adversity is a lesson that both Lankinen and Subban need to learn as the tandem.
The players up front should remain the same unless Lucas Wallmark slots back in for either Matthew Highmore or Reese Johnson. Either way, expect there to be 4 full offensive lines plus 6 on defense.
Ian Mitchell should return to the blueline after a healthy scratch on Tuesday to give him rest and a chance to learn by viewing from above. Lucas Carlsson would sit as Adam Boqvist maintains his spot.
Assuming 6 in the back and none of the veterans get time off for maintenance, there would be a revolving door of rookie defensemen with Mitchell, Carlsson, Nicolas Beaudin, and Wyatt Kalynuk.
If this is the case for the foreseeable future, at least one if not two of Carlsson, Beaudin, and/or Kalynuk may be better off playing regularly in Rockford and so reassignment may occur at some point.
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Rockford Updates
The IceHogs square off against the Griffins tonight at 6:00pm CST in Rockford. Then the Hogs head up to Grand Rapids to meet the Griffs on their ice on Saturday and Tuesday.
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See you on the boards!