Blackhawks' depth scoring must show up today in Utah

Chicago Blackhawks (22-27-9, 53 pts) @ Utah Mammoth (31-24-4, 66 pts)
3 pm CT – Delta Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Granato)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Grey/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks' four-game road trip continues today in Salt Lake City, following a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche yesterday. They have dropped three in a row and have just one win in their last nine games. Meanwhile, the Mammoth are coming off a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Friday and have won three out of their last four games. This is an important game for Utah, as they currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

This is the first time these two teams have met since Oct. 13. Because the NHL schedule is always logical, they will play their final three games of their season series over the next 12 days. With the trade deadline on Friday, these two teams might look a little different when they meet again at the United Center a week from Monday.

Offense at a Premium

The Blackhawks have been offensively challenged for much of the season, but the first two games out of the Olympic break have been tough to watch. It’s been Connor Bedard and nobody else. Somebody else needs to step up and provide some production.

“We’ve got to find a way to produce more offense, more chances,” head coach Jeff Blashill said after Saturday’s loss. “Some of it comes down to execution; some of it comes down to, we’ve got offensive guys that can produce, but they’re probably not feeling it right now. So, we’ve got to get their confidence going. You’ve got to ultimately earn your confidence, so they’re going to have to grind through it here and find a way to feel good about themselves with the puck.”

Back on Oct. 13, the Blackhawks beat the Mammoth to earn their first victory of the season because of their depth scoring. Ilya Mikheyev scored twice, with Andre Burakovsky adding a third goal. Bedard and Frank Nazar were held to one combined shot attempt on the night, and they still found a way to win. They will need a similar team effort to get back in the win column today.

No Demotion for Burakovsky

Blashill talks a lot about accountability, and we’ve seen plenty of examples. Artyom Levshunov has had a very short leash at times. Colton Dach has spent a lot of time watching from the pressbox of late. Accountability is good. You want that in your locker room. So, how come there is no accountability for Burakovsky?

The veteran forward started off the season well, producing with Bedard. However, the last couple of months have been bad. Really bad. He’s been a turnover machine, mishandling pucks on odd-man rushes, and flat out not producing. He has one assist in his last 15 games, and yet he will still be on the top line today.

“I would say he led us in scoring-chance plus/minus differential last game,” Blashill said last night. “I don’t know where he’s going to fall tonight. At the end of the day, your game is a result of how much you created vs. how much you gave up. He’ll stay with Bedsy, and we’ll keep evaluating everything.”

If Burakovsky’s best chance of producing is playing with Bedard, but he’s not producing on his wing, what are we even doing here?

Season Series

10/13 vs UTA, 3-1 W
3/1 @ UTA
3/9 vs UTA
3/12 @ UA

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Tyler Bertuzzi (26)
A-Connor Bedard (30)
P-Bedard (55)
PPG-Bertuzzi (10)
GWG-Bedard/Bertuzzi (3)
SOG-Bedard (151)
PIM-Colton Dach (47)

Mammoth Team Leaders

G-Dylan Guenther (27)
A-Clayton Keller (40)
P-Keller (55)
PPG-Guenther (6)
GWG-Guenther (6)
SOG-Guenther (185)
PIM-John Marino (37)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.61 (26th)
GA/G-3.17 (21st)
PP%-19.2 (21st)
PK%-85.6 (1st)
SOG/G-24.6 (32nd)
SA/G-29.5 (25th)
FO%-47.0 (30th)
PIM/G-9:28 (24th)

Mammoth Team Stats

GF/G-3.22 (14th)
GA/G-2.76 (5th)
PP%-16.1 (28th)
PK%-78.7 (20th)
SOG/G-28.0 (18th)
SA/G-25.9 (5th)
FO%-49.4 (20th)
PIM/G-9:07 (21st)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Andre Burakovsky
Oliver Moore-Frank Nazar-Teuvo Teravainen
Tyler Bertuzzi-Jason Dickinson-Ilya Mikheyev
Ryan Donato-Nick Foligno-Landon Slaggert

Defensemen
Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier
Matt Grzelcyk-Artyom Levshunov
Connor Murphy-Kevin Korchinski

Scratched
F-Sam Lafferty, F-Colton Dach, Sam Rinzel (illness)

Injured
D-Wyatt Kaiser (lower body)

Mammoth Probable Lines

Forwards
Clayton Keller-Nick Schmaltz-Lawson Crouse
Jack McBain-Logan Cooley-Dylan Guenther
JJ Peterka-Barrett Hayton-Kailer Yamamoto
Alexander Kerfoot -Kevin Stenlund-Michael Carcone

Defensemen
Mikhail Sergachev-Sean Durzi
Nate Schmidt-John Marino
Ian Cole-Olli Maatta

Scratched
F-Liam O'Brien, F-Brandon Tanev, D-Nick DeSimone

Injured
None

Goaltending Matchup

Arvid Soderblom (5-9-2, 3.89 GAA, .874 SV%, 0 SO) vs Karel Vejmelka (28-15-2, 2.60 GAA, .902 SV%, 1 SO)