Next Game @ Rangers
New York, New York. The Blackhawks get the Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden then head east on the 495 to the new UBS Arena on Long Island to battle with the Islanders on Sunday evening. After this road trip, the Hawks host the Blue Shirts in Chicago on Tuesday.
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Roster Updates
On Thursday, Tyler Johnson had artificial disc replacement surgery -- the same procedure as the one Jack Eichel had -- to address his neck injury and will be out of commission for 3 months. Connor Murphy is in concussion protocol indefinitely due to an Alex Ovechkin hit.
There are a few players, though, who could return to the lineup as early as today but possibly tomorrow including Jujhar Khaira, Riley Stillman, and Calvin de Haan. It wouldn't be the worst thing for Khaira to rest more but the blueline needs a boost amidst constant disruption.
Assuming Khaira is still out sick, the forward lines could look something like:
Hagel - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Dach - Strome
Kubalik - Borgstrom - Slavin
Hardman - Carpenter - R Johnson
Josiah Slavin acquitted himself quite well in his NHL debut against the Capitals and could get an immediate promotion to the 3rd line either playing wing or taking the middle bumping Henrik Borgstrom over to the flank. Kirby Dach and Dylan Strome could also swap positions, too.
The 1st and 4th lines seem like locks. Save for Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kubalik who should be the shooters on separate lines, the rest of the personnel on the 2nd and 3rd lines could be interchangeable. For instance, flip flop Dach with Borgstrom or Strome with Borgstrom.
In terms of the D corps, it would be ideal if either Stillman or de Haan is ready to go tonight so the pairs could look something like:
Gustafsson - S Jones
McCabe - Stillman/de Haan
Kalynuk - C Jones
The pairs could be mixed a number of ways but it's best to at least split Seth Jones and Jake McCabe so the two best defensemen aren't loaded up in a single unit. The Hawks should still have a shutdown duo so it may make sense for McCabe to have Stillman or de Haan as partner.
Worst-case scenario is that both Stillman and de Haan are unable to play so the Hawks either go with 5 in the back or get a Rockford D-man on the first flight to JFK or LaGuardia. If that's the case, then Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin, or perhaps Jakub Galvas could get the call.
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IceHogs Game Summary
Starting Lineup
Altybarmakian - Kurashev - Nylander
Busdeker - McLaughlin - Teply
Morrison - Barratt - Gicewicz
Pour - G Mitchell - Osipov
Galvas - Beaudin
Stanton - Regula
Phillips - I Mitchell
Delia
Morris
Scoring Recap
1st Goal (0-1): Criscuolo (Berggren, Murphy) PP
2nd Goal (1-1): I Mitchell (Altybarmakian, Beaudin) PP
3rd Goal (2-1): Regula (G Mitchell, Gicewicz)
4th Goal (3-1): Kurashev (Galvas, McLaughlin) PP
5th Goal (4-1): Kurashev (unassisted) SH/EN
SOG For/Against: 31/41
PP: 2-for-4
PK: 3-for-4
Game Notes
* Arvid Soderblom was out ill (non-COVID related) and Cale Morris was recalled from the Fuel of the ECHL to back up Collin Delia.
* Delia was outstanding in net with 40 saves and exhibited quick reflexes to make some stunning saves with the glove and blocker.
* While he needs to continue refining his reads and adding more strength, Beaudin still battles hard down low, along the walls, and in the crease to help defend the house with snarl.
* Philipp Kurashev seems to be regaining form towards his true potential as he was aggressive with carrying the puck, stickhandling in traffic, and making plays up and down the ice.
* Dating to last season, Dylan McLaughlin has been excellent at zone entries -- particularly on the power play -- after which he sets up to search options or generates chances himself.
* One way that Carson Gicewicz makes himself effective at killing penalties and defending in general is by getting his body low and spreading out his arms while wielding a highly active stick.
* The IceHogs can sweep the weekend series this evening as they go to war again with the Griffins.
Highlights
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See you on the boards!
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