Blackhawks: Can Chicago’s Offense Match-Up with McDavid and Draisaitl?

Second Line

In the second line, the conversation starts and ends at Draisaitl and Kane. Both of these players are arguably the top 10 players in the NHL. They both are complete game-changers on the offensive side of the ice. If one of them gets hot the series is decided.

The supporting cast for these lines comes down to Alex Nylander and Kailer Yamamoto. The reports from camp are that Nylander has taken a massive step in the right direction. If that is true this line will carry the Blackhawks on the offensive side of the rink. In the exhibition game, he showed signs of taking a step with his speed on the backcheck and forecheck but he also showed old Nylander where he would shy away from hits and not hold on to the puck.

When Yamamoto and Draisaitl were first put together it changed the Oilers offense. They looked like they were clicking on all fronts together in their exhibition game and will look to continue that in this series. This line for each team respectively will be the biggest factor in the series. Don’t expect these lines to face off against each other often but if they do it will be some of the best hockey you will ever watch.

Dylan Strome and Tyler Ennis finish up these lines. They are both good players who will be important for this series. Their roles will be more supportive and reacting to what they are given rather than carrying their respective lines.