Blackhawks Injuries: Carlsson and Strome out, Murphy nearing return

The Chicago Blackhawks announced the latest updates on a few different injuries yesterday, and it will impact tonight’s matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blackhawks will now be without Dylan Strome and Lucas Carlsson for a while.

Lucas Carlsson was placed on injured reserve and will be out of the lineup for at least a week. Carlsson has been great for the ‘Hawks on defense, and now the team will have to turn to some of their other defensemen that are a little more offensively minded – like Boqvist and Beaudin, to pick up the slack.

Dylan Strome has not been that impactful the past few weeks, and now he is being placed in concussion protocol following a hit a few games ago that did not show immediate symptoms. This is a big loss for the ‘Hawks as Strome is someone that needs to play well for this team.

While Strome has not been the best forward this season, he is still one of three centremen that I would want to see the team play. Plus, his faceoff numbers have actually been pretty good the past five or so games. With no Dach or Toews, losing Strome is just another hit for the Blackhawks.

One player is on the way back to the ice though, Connor Murphy has been active from injured reserve. Murphy has missed six games due to a right hip injury. While it would be great if he could step into the lineup tonight, it will most likely take a few more days to get him up to speed and make sure he is ready for games. Now at least he is practicing with the team.

What will the Chicago Blackhawks lineup look like tonight with no Carlsson or Strome?

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Assuming Murphy needs at least a game before getting into the lineup, the Blackhawks will need to rely heavily on Keith and de Haan tonight. Here is what the lineup could look like.

DeBrincat – Suter – Kane

Hagel – Wallmark – Kubalik

Kurashev – Soderberg – Janmark

Highmore – Kampf – Carpenter

Keith – Mitchell

de Haan – Boqvist

Beaudin – Zadorov

With the three young offensive defensemen on the blue line, Colliton might be more comfortable playing seven defensemen and eleven forwards, but tonight if Murphy is not available, that will not be possible.