The Hawks fell last Tuesday to the Boston Bruins 3-0 in a game that the Hawks just could not get going. It looked like the team was going to have some momentum in this one when Connor Bedard scored an absolutely beautiful goal on the power play after a Charlie Coyle turnover. However, the Bruins would challenge this play for being offside, and ultimately it would be reversed. As fans of the game, can we all agree that the way offsides are challenged needs to be changed? For me, if the opposing team gets possession of the puck, the option to challenge the play should be voided. There have been a few plays like this already this season with other teams around the league, and it just gets to the point of frustration as a fan to watch that. It just hit double hard that it was a filthy goal and an even better cell from the rookie. Picking up the intensity Coach Richardson spoke about his disappointment in his team's play in the loss to the Bruins and promised a more intense practice on Thursday, and it's safe to say the message was heard. Footage from the practice showed Bedard and Kaiser going at it in a strong battle. These are things the Hawks really need to work on, especially Bedard. He is a smaller player that needs to get stronger on the puck; he has struggled with that this season, as expected, but it’s all about the process of transitioning into an NHLer.
Connor Bedard and Wyatt Kaiser apparently received Luke Richardson’s message loud and clear.
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 26, 2023
The two of them with a feisty net-front battle on this drill. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Oe2nij6VkI
Up Next: Vegas Golden Knights 7-0 After a quick two-game home stand, the Hawks are back on the road, hitting up the Vegas Strip once again as they set to battle the undefeated Golden Knights. The Hawks schedule over the last 4 games has been absolutely brutal, getting stuck playing all the top dogs in the league. The Hawks come into this one being outscored 12-3 and shut out in two of the last three games. This Vegas team is off to one of the best starts for a defending Stanley Cup champion, and there are no signs they are set to slow down any time soon. They currently have the best goal differential in the league at +15 and are currently tied with the Rangers for the second fewest goals allowed with 13. This is a very good hockey team, and despite how you might feel about the franchise, they know how to win. Hopefully the Hawks intensity from Thursday's practice carries over to the game; otherwise, this is going to be ugly.
Projected Line Ups
#Blackhawks new lines:
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 26, 2023
Foligno-Bedard-Kurashev
Dickinson-Reichel-Raddysh
T. Johnson-Donato-Perry
Katchouk-Entwistle-R. Johnson
Extras: Athanasiou, Blackwell (lower body)
IR: Hall (shoulder)
Coach Richardson has pulled out the blender on the lines, and it’s a little surprising it took this long. The biggest thing I saw with these new lines is Athanasiou skating as an extra and looking like he will be a healthy scratch tonight. Its not a surprise, as he has been pretty much invisable so far this season. In 7 games, he has only picked up 3 assists, has a -2 rating, and is averaging just about 13:28 minutes of ice time. He is coming off signing a fresh two-year, 8.5 million-dollar contract this offseason, and while I know there are little expectations for him, he needs to be better.
#Blackhawks new power-play units:
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 26, 2023
PP1: Bedard, Kurashev, Foligno (bumper), Perry (net front), Jones
PP2: Reichel, T. Johnson, Raddysh (bumper), Donato (net front), Korchinski
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