The Hawks are back at it tonight as they continue their 7 game homestand welcoming the Arizona Coyotes to the UC. The Hawks are coming in to this one on a 5 game losing streak and only wining once in their last 14 games. There is going to be an extremely large hole in this Hawks line up tonight as Patrick Kane will miss his first game (due to injury) since he broke his collarbone in 2015. Speaking to the media, he said he doesn’t feel like it will be long term and that he could probably play tonight, but with the lingering pain he wants to give it a bit of a rest. He also confirmed that it was due to the hit from Evgeny Svechnikov during Sundays match up.
Even though he is banged up, it was nice to see him out on the ice with the Hawks latest signee, 6 year old Luca Bear Bish who gets a one day contract. He got to take the ice with Kane, who he says is his favorite player. It was an amazing moment for Luca as the Hawks and Make-A-Wish teamed up to celebrate him reaching remission status.
As for the rest of the team, Athanasiou was back with the team for morning skate as he missed yesterdays practice for a non-covid illness. He will be in the line up tonight. Tyler Johnson will also be back in the line up and recent call up Lukas Reichel and Brett Seney will draw in as well. Despite what most of us want, Caleb Jones stays in the line up and because of this Isaak Phillips will spend the night in the press box. The last healthy scratch for tonight will be Boris Katchouk.
As of writing, Alex Stalock will get the goal crease tonight. This will be his 11th start and 12th appearance this season in net and he continues to play well despite the situation this team is in. He has a 4-5-1 record with a solid 2.77 GAA and .916 SV%.
Arizona was one of those teams we thought might get in the Hawks way for worst record in the league; however they have not played that bad of hockey this season. They come in to this one on a 3 game losing streak and are 4-5-1 in their last 10. They sit 6th in the Central with a 13-19-5 record and while on paper it doesn’t look great, they have been competitive and even scoring big wins against teams like Boston and Toronto. They have really embraced the college hockey mind set playing in Mullet Arena, which I have heard from friends who have gone to a game there is an amazing experience. While everyone talks about this team relocating, I really hope they can get an arena deal done and make this work out there, and not just because I love their logo and jerseys. They have some great young players in their system and if they build this team properly, they could be a threat in the near future.
Players To Watch Clayton Keller 14 goals 22 assists 36 points Shayne Gostisbehere 9 goals 17 assists 26 points Lawson Crouse 14 goals 8 assists 22 points
Projected Starter Connor Ingram 2-7-1 4.24 GAA .878 SV%
All Star Selection Last night the NHL announced the first set of All Stars. Each team had to be represented with a fan vote deciding the last three spots for each division. It seemed pretty cut and dry that Patrick Kane would be the Hawks lone player in the game. I had a nice graphic made and ready to post on my podcast social media pages. However, this would not end up being the case as it was announced Seth Jones would represent the Blackhawks and earn his fifth All Star nomination. I am still a little confused by this one as Jones currently ranks 7th on the team in points and a minus 26 on the season. I don’t think Jones should have even been an the conversation as I think Kane, Domi, Toews, and even Stalock have proven to be much more of a difference maker on this team than Jones. I get that they are probably trying to make things even out based on position throughout the division, but come on, Seth Jones, really? Are the Hawks not a big enough of a joke to the rest of the hockey world that the league decided to add this for good measure?
Lastly wanted to just say congrats to prospect Korchinski, Allen, and Del Mastro on winning World Junior Gold last night. Was absolutely amazing to watch Bedard and how amazing of a player he really is. I personally want to give him the generational talent tag but would love to hear what you all think.
Puck Drop is 7:30pm Central tonight and I will be at the Mad House talking this one in for a friends Bachelor Party. Say a little prayer for me that this game will be better than a Tuesday night beer league game.
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