10/22 Game Preview: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Golden Knights

Tonight, the Chicago Blackhawks face off against the Vegas Golden Knights at home.

Coming into tonight’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Chicago Blackhawks are 2-3-1 and seeking redemption after Sunday’s loss to the Capitals. This is the Blackhawks’ first of three meetings with the Golden Knights in 2019-20.

The Chicago Blackhawks had a rough start to their 2019-20 NHL season, but they’ve bounced back nicely winning two of their last three games. Rookie center Kirby Dach made his debut during Sunday’s loss to the Washington Capitals.

There were a lot of positives coming out of the Blackhawks’ locker room which involved Dach. He is going to play tonight, but with the Blackhawks not running lines during their morning skate, only time will tell which line Dach plays on. I expect to see him with Patrick Kane again.

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Both teams are coming off of losses. On Sunday, the Blackhawks lost 5-3 against the Capitals, and on Monday, the Golden Knights lost 6-2 against the Flyers.

The key players to take a look at for the Vegas Golden Knights are their leading goal scorer, Reilly Smith. In 10 games, Smith has scored seven goals, including four in the last five games.

Max Pacioretty and Paul Stastny are two other key players for the Golden Knights. Pacioretty has four assists during the last five games and Stastny has six points during the last five games. The Golden Knights are a strong team on offense and have multiple players that can strike at any time.

For the Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Kane is currently riding a three-game point streak, with two goals and two assists during this streak. The Blackhawks are 2-1-0 during this Kane’s point streak.

Kane has gotten the puck a lot less than expected so far this season. He also hasn’t shot the puck as much as he did last year at this time. It’s still early, but it’s in his best interest to keep this point streak going. Games are much more fun when Kane is on them.

Right now, the Blackhawks are fighting a losing battle. They are sixth in the Central Division and 29th for the entire league. They’ve played the least amount of games out of any team (6) so far this season, which helps them. They’re going to need to keep this little two game winning alive, after winning two out of the last three games.

Both teams have kept quiet about their lines and goalies, but expect to see Marc-Andre Fleury (6-2-0) vs Robin Lehner (1-0-1).

For the Chicago Blackhawks’ top six, my prediction is DeBrincat–Toews–Shaw on the first line and Strome–Dach–Kane for the second line.

The Golden Knights are a (+110) favorite according to CBS Sports. The over/under for tonight’s game is 6.5 goals. With Patrick Kane on a point streak of three games, feel free to hammer the over. I’m predicting a breakout game for both Kane and Dach.