Blackhawks get a boost to the lineup with Kraken in town

Chicago Blackhawks (10-5-4, 24 pts) vs Seattle Kraken (9-5-5, 23 pts)
7 pm CT – United Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks return to the United Center ice tonight as they host the Seattle Kraken. They’ll be out for revenge as Seattle was the last team to beat the Blackhawks in regulation, one of only five regulation losses on the season. Is that as crazy to read as it was for me to type?

The Kraken have just one fewer point than the Blackhawks heading into tonight’s game. While some might say the Blackhawks' early-season success is smoke and mirrors, the same can be said of Seattle, too. They are near the bottom of the league in scoring, shots on goal, penalty kill, and faceoffs. Where they have excelled is in goals allowed, but they are still scoring less than what they are allowing. That is not a recipe for sustained success.

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have had a better formula for their success. They are in the top five for both goals scored and goals allowed. They have had solid special teams play, while scoring at 5-on-5. Nine of their 10 wins have come in regulation, while the Kraken have just six. We’ll see how the season shakes out, but the underlying numbers suggest that the Blackhawks will hang around the playoff picture longer than the Kraken will. A win tonight will help.

Bert is Back

Tyler Bertuzzi rejoined his teammates on the ice this morning for the first time since last Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. Head coach Jeff Blashill anticipates that he will play today. As you can imagine, he’s happy to have Bertuzzi back in the lineup because of all the elements he brings to the ice.

“He’s a natural net-front guy,” Blashill said. “He gets to the net every time, he’s good at being at the net. Sometimes that can be contagious with other players, too, when they see the success he has because of it. Having Tyler back is important for a lot of things. He wins tons of puck battles, he’s a really smart player, but certainly getting to the net is an important piece of it.”

In eight career games against the Kraken, Bertuzzi has a goal and six points. He has a goal in five games against tonight’s probable starting goaltender, Joey Daccord.

Confident Crevier

Watching the progress defenseman Louis Crevier has made since being a seventh-round draft pick in 2020 has been nothing short of incredible. He came into the season as the seventh blueliner that most would have been okay with sitting in the press box on some nights. He’s turned into one of their most consistent defenders and has earned the trust of Blashill.

“His confidence has continued to grow,” said Blashill. “It started with the fight in Montreal, or against Montreal. That gives you swagger, confidence, knowing that there’s that physical toughness piece of it.  He’s still a young player; sometimes those big, big guys are late developers. He’s put himself in a good position to be a guy who can really help us.”

Crevier enters tonight’s game on a career-high four-game point streak, recording five assists in that span. He already has set a new career-high with 10 points and registered the second-hardest slap shot in the NHL on Tuesday night, clocking in at 102.4 mph.

Rewriting History

The Blackhawks have not had much success against the Kraken since they joined the league. Including the 3-1 loss earlier this month, they 4-8-1 all-time against Seattle and have been outscored 55-33. They’ve had better luck against them at the United Center, going 3-3-0.

If the Blackhawks want to extend their point streak to seven games, Ilya Mikheyev might play a factor in that. While he’s been invaluable defensively, especially on the penalty kill, he’s created some offensive chances this season. Unfortunately, he hasn’t found the finish consistently. Finishing hasn’t been a problem against the Kraken in his career, with five goals in 11 games. He’s scored three goals on nine shots when facing Daccord.

Season Series

11/3 @ SEA L 1-3
11/20 vs SEA
4/4 @ SEA

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Connor Bedard (13)
A-Bedard (16)
P-Bedard (29)
PPG-Tyler Bertuzzi (5)
GWG-Ryan Donato/Bedard (2)
SOG-Bedard (65)
PIM-Louis Crevier/Colton Dach (25)

Kraken Team Leaders

G-Jordan Eberle (8)
A-Matty Beniers (11)
P-Jaden Schwatz/Eberle (14)
PPG-Chandler Stephenson/Eeli Tolvanen/Beniers (3)
GWG-Eberle (2)
SOG-Eberle (49)
PIM-Ryan Lindgren (31)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-3.37 (5th)
GA/G-2.53 (4th)
PP%-23.2 (12th)
PK%-84.3 (6th)
SOG/G-25.2 (28th)
SA/G-31.3 (29th)
FO%-46.5 (29th)
PIM/G-13:12 (32nd)

Kraken Team Stats

GF/G-2.68 (28th)
GA/G-2.74 (7th)
PP%-20.0 (17th)
PK%-70.4 (30th)
SOG/G-24.4 (31st)
SA/G-27.5 (15th)
FO%-44.9 (30th)
PIM/G-7:50 (11th)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Andre Burakovsky
Tyler Bertuzzi-Frank Nazar-Oliver Moore
Teuvo Teravainen-Ryan Donato-Ilya Mikheyev
Colton Dach-Sam Lafferty

Defensemen
Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier
Wyatt Kaiser-Artyom Levshunov
Matt Grzelcyk-Connor Murphy
Sam Rinzel

Scratched
F-Landon Slaggert

Injured
G-Laurent Brossoit (hip), F-Jason Dickinson (upper body), F-Nick Foligno (hand)

Kraken Probable Lines

Forwards
Mason Marchment-Matty Beniers-Jordan Eberle
Jaden Schwartz-Chandler Stephenson-Ryan Winterton
Eeli Tolvanen-Berkly Catton-Shane Wright
Tye Kartye-Frederick Gaudreau-Jani Nyman

Defensemen
Vince Dunn-Adam Larsson
Ryan Lindgren-Brandon Montour
Ryker Evans-Jamie Oleksiak

Scratched
F-Oscar Fisker Molgaard, D-Josh Mahura, D-Cale Fleury

Injured
F-Kaapo Kakko (lower body), F-Jared McCann (lower body), F-Max McCormick (hip), G-Matt Murray (lower body)

Goaltending Matchup

Spencer Knight (7-3-3, 2.42 GAA, .924 SV%, 1 SO) vs Joey Daccord (6-3-3, 2.85 GAA, .898 SV%, 1 SO)