It's game day! Yay.
The Hawks take on the Capitals tonight and it should be an excellent preview of what's to come… for both rosters.
Washington is travelling with a roster that is filled with NHL regulars that will be in the lineup opening night. Thanks to Chris Kuc for posting this:
Capitals are bringing a loaded lineup to Chicago tomorrow to face the #Blackhawks, including a certain No. 8. pic.twitter.com/PLhT7wEQYE
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) September 24, 2019
The Hawks will be no slouches of who they dress either.
Based on practice, Chicago will ice a lineup that should be close to the following: Caggiula-Toews-Nylander DeBrincat-Strome-Kane Saad-Kampf-Kubalik Wedin-Carpenter-Shaw
Keith-Gustafsson Maatta-Seabrook Koekkoek-Boqvist
Crawford Delia Those who are not playing include: Perlini, Saarela, Smith, Gilbert, Dahlstrom, de Haan, Murphy, Lehner Here are some thoughts on the above playing and those who are fighting for a spot to start the season with the big club:
Robin Lehner left Tuesday's practice with an injury. Coach Colliton is hopefully it's not too serious and more should be known by tomorrow. I would expect Colin Delia to back up Corey Crawford tomorrow. I would also expect Delia to travel overseas with the Blackhawks as a precaution.
Calvin de Haan is going to be close to starting Game #1 in Prague vs. the Flyers. He has been participating in full practice and on Tuesday was skating with Connor Murphy, his expected partner to begin the year.
Jeremy Colliton mixed up the lines and for the first time this year, we will get a look at the super trio of DeBrincat, Strome and Kane. I don't expect this line to stick together but to be the 3rd-period boost from time-to-time throughout the season when Colliton needs a nuclear option to produce offense.
Then again, maybe Toews, Nylander and Caggiula really gel and Colliton opts to stay closer to the lines he's most recently put together.
I wouldn't read too much into Andrew Shaw being on the 4th line. JC is trying him out on all lines and he will be a constant sparkplug all year for the Hawks. This is a good thing.
One line that seems to be a thing is the 3rd line of Saad, Kampf and Kubalik. They will most definitely be a hit in Prague, that's for sure. I would like to see them be effective on Wednesday night and continue to build on their chemistry.
Poor Brendan Perlini was in a white jersey on Tuesday. The guy went through a long contract-less summer, signed for less-than-expected and now is on the outside looking in. He will get his shot at some point but right now, he's trying to find his spot. It sucks for him but it sure is nice to have a little depth again in Chicago.
I for one would like to see Aleksi Saarela in another game. It doesn't look like he will get that opportunity until Saturday. I don't anticipate him being on the extended 25-man roster heading to Berlin on Thursday.
Anton Wedin on the other hand, I believe he will be there. He's been impressive in his role and can add centre to his resume of versatility. He looked very competent up the middle last game.
Kirby Dach and John Quenneville skated on their own on Tuesday. They are getting closer to returning to full practice. While I don't know what the future holds for Quenneville, I believe the Hawks coaching staff (and Stan Bowman) are committed to giving Dach a 9-game tryout. He will remain in the Hawks care until healthy and then either stay with the team for the entire year or they will ship him back to Saskatoon once healthy if they deem he's not ready for NHL action.
Lastly, congrats to Erik Gustafsson and his wife on their arrival on their 2nd daughter.
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That's all I have for now. See ya out there!
TC
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