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Game 16 vs Blue Jackets

February 13, 2021, 4:19 AM ET [161 Comments]
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Blackhawks aim to rebound from an inconsistent effort on Thursday against the Blue Jackets that halted a three-game winning streak after failing twice to hold a lead.

While the team's compete level is high, execution of fundamentals like passing as well as attention to detail on defense are paramount to turn in a full 60 minutes of solid play.


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Game Day

Game 16, February 13:
Blackhawks vs Blue Jackets
7:00pm CST

Records:
Blackhawks, 6-5-4, 16 Pts (5th)
Blue Jackets, 7-5-3, 17 Pts (3rd)

Season Series:
1-2-0

Power Play:
Blackhawks, 17-47, 36.2% (3rd)
Blue Jackets, 7-41, 17.1% (19th)

Penalty Kill:
Blackhawks, 40-50, 80.0% (18th)
Blue Jackets, 25-33, 75.8% (22nd)

All-around defenseman Zach Werenski is expected to return to the Columbus lineup. Elvis Merzlikins could be available as at least the backup goalie but his status isn't as definitive.

Between Kevin Lankinen, Malcolm Subban, and Collin Delia, Lankinen is the most even keel and should be poised to bounce back with a solid performance after giving up 6 a game ago.

The Hawks starting lineup is likely to remain at 11F/7D in order to give ice time to three rookies and newcomer Madison Bowey on the blueline while Connor Murphy is out with an injury.

One possible lineup tweak could be in the bottom 6. Despite general hustle and effort, Matthew Highmore has also made glaring mistakes. Perhaps MacKenzie Entwistle makes his debut.

Then on the backline, Lucas Carlsson could find a seat for a spell so recently recalled Wyatt Kalynuk can also get into his first NHL game. Kalynuk impressed in two AHL games.

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Water Level

Chicago's rookies and other youngsters are playing key roles throughout the lineup and demonstrating not only a competitive spirit but also a capacity to drive offense and defend.

However, are the members of the youth corps playing on the appropriate lines and pairs today where they will be playing down the road when the team is a Cup contender again?

In other words, are they properly slotted or are they being asked to play a level or two above what may be expected as the roster evolves with aging veterans and budding prospects?

For instance, once Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach are healthy again to be the starting top 6 centers, does that relegate Dylan Strome and Philipp Kurashev to the 3rd line?

Similarly, does Alex Nylander back at wing force Pius Suter to the bottom 6? Would Brent Seabrook bump Nicolas Beaudin, Lucas Carlsson, or Madison Bowey down a peg?

The reintegration of veterans is one angle on whether the reshuffling of the roster deck will slot the youth too high or too low on the depth chart. There is another angle, though.

The prospect pipeline has high potential personnel such as Lukas Reichel, Wyatt Kaiser, and Drew Commesso who could also recalibrate the slotting. Future drafts are a factor, too.

Although this may or may not be a serious exercise, here is a glimpse of what a future lineup could look like around the year 2025 or so:

Teply - Dach - Reichel
DeBrincat - Strome - Kubalik
Hagel - Kurashev - Barratt
Soderlund - Entwistle - Slaggert

In the mix: Altybarmakian, Johnson, Kayumov, Saarela, Slavin, Wise

Beaudin - Mitchell
Kalynuk - Boqvist
Vlasic - Regula

In the mix: Carlsson, Galvas, Kaiser, Krys

Lankinen
Commesso

In the mix: Basse

There are two caveats, though. One is the assumption that none of the remaining core are around in 2025. Second is this projection doesn't consider future trades, signings, or drafts.

The reality is, though, that at least Patrick Kane will be with the Hawks by then and performing at an elite clip. And adding in an Owen Power or a Kent Johnson could be game changers.

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Rockford Updates

The IceHogs (0-2-0-0) are in Des Moines, Iowa tonight to face the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate (1-1-1-0) by the same name. Game time is 6:00pm CST.

The Hogs then host the Chicago Wolves on Tuesday and the Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday before four straight games against the Cleveland Monsters to round out February.

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Sunday's Blog

Due to family commitments during this holiday weekend, I may not be able to watch tonight's Blackhawks and IceHogs games in their entirety today so Sunday's blog could be rather light.

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See you on the boards!

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