Blackhawks Gameday: 3 things to watch versus Wild

Chicago Blackhawks @ Minnesota Wild
5 pm CT – Grand Casino Arena
TV: CHSN+ (in market)/ESPN+ (out of market)
Radio: None

The Chicago Blackhawks will play their third and final road preseason game against the Minnesota Wild this evening. They will wrap up their exhibition schedule with games at the United Center against the Detroit Red Wings, the Wild, and the St. Louis Blues.

The Blackhawks are skating nearly a completely different lineup from last night’s 4-2 victory over the Blues. Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene, Nick Lardis, Kevin Korchinski, and Nolan Allan are the only players dressing on back-to-back nights. Ryan Donato, Nick Foligno, Andre Burakovsky, Tyler Bertuzzi, Samuel Savoie, AJ Spellacy, Teuvo Teravainen, Alex Vlasic, and Drew Commesso will all make their preseason debuts.

In case you missed it earlier, Jackson Cates, Gavin Hayes, Martin Misiak, and Stanislav Berezhnoy were all assigned to the Rockford IceHogs this morning.

New Top Line Debuts

Tonight, we’ll get our first look at the Blackhawks’ likely top line when they open the regular season against the Florida Panthers. Connor Bedard has spent much of training camp centering Burakovsky and Donato. Even though there was no morning skate for the game group today, it’s a safe bet this trio will be on the ice for the opening faceoff.

“Connor and Donato played a decent amount together last year,” head coach Jeff Blashill said earlier in training camp. “That’s a threesome we wanted to get together early in camp. Andre, when he’s been at his best, he’s really good at bringing the puck up through the neutral zone. I think he can play off Connor. There’s a give-and-go component there. Donato’s a good scorer. Connor can do it all. He’s an equally good passer as he is a shooter. So, hopefully, it’s a good threesome.”

This will be the first look at Burakovsky in a Blackhawks uniform. The 30-year-old winger is looking to recapture his form from his days with the Colorado Avalanche, including a 22-goal and 61-point output during the 2021-22 season.

Donato has looked very good through training camp. He’s looked fast, and he's been finishing his chances in drills. He should be flying tonight in his preseason debut.

Bring the Physicality

Savioe and Spellacy have to be chomping at the bit. The young duo has spent most of training camp skating on their own due to minor injuries. These two will be unleashed on the Wild in what will likely be their own preseason appearance.

I expect these two will be on the same line, and I look for them to set the tone with their first shift of the night. The Blackhawks turned the momentum last night with their fourth line of Dominic Toninato, Gavin Hayes, and Martin Misiak. They had a shift early in the second period where they had sustained pressure, got physical in front of the net, and continued pushing after the whistle. That shift seemed to get the rest of the team going. Hopefully, Savoie and Spellacy don’t wait until the middle frame to provide a spark.

Drew Commesso Looks to Impress

Drew Commesso was one of the best goaltenders in the American Hockey League after returning from an ankle injury in early February. About a month later, Spencer Knight was acquired, which made some wonder if he still had a place in the organization. Arvid Soderblom’s two-year extension only added to the speculation. The truth is, the team is giving their top goaltending prospect plenty of time to develop, even if he feels he should be in the National Hockey League.

“My biggest message is, ‘You have to make sure you’re ready to jump through that window of opportunity.’” Blashill said of Commesso earlier this week. “Go down and have another great run. If you keep knocking on the door, at some point and somewhere, you get your opportunity.”

Tonight is a big chance for Commesso to impress the coaching staff and the front office. He’ll be facing a Wild roster made up mainly of AHL players and prospects.

Probable Blackhawks Lines

Forwards

Ryan Donato-Connor Bedard-Andre Burakovsky
Teuvo Teravainen-Frank Nazar-Tyler Bertuzzi
Nick Lardis-Ryan Greene-Oliver Moore
Samuel Savoie-Nick Foligno-AJ Spellacy

Defensemen

Alex Vlasic-Sam Rinzel
Wyatt Kaiser-Artyom Levshunov
Kevin Korchinski-Nolan Allan

Goaltenders

Drew Commesso
Arvid Soderblom

Wild Roster