Blackhawks look for a banner effort against streaking Bruins

Chicago Blackhawks (19-21-7, 45 pts) vs Boston Bruins (27-19-2, 56 pts)
7 pm CT – United Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks are hosting the Boston Bruins tonight in what should be a special evening at the United Center, as they are honoring the Stanley Cup teams from the 2010s. Of course, who can forget the 2013 Stanley Cup Final between these two Original 6 teams? But once the puck drops, it’s all about the two current squads on the ice and not the ones forever immortalized on a banner.

The Blackhawks have been catching teams at the right time lately, whether during a losing streak or on a long road trip. They welcome in the Bruins while they are in the midst of some of their best hockey of the season. They have won five games in a row and seven of their last eight. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have dropped the first two games of a four-game homestand.

“They’re obviously coming in here hot,” head coach Jeff Blashill said. “They’ve rattled off a number of wins in a row. They’re scoring off the rush. I think (David) Pastrnak is one of the best players in the league, and I have thought so for a long time.”

The Bruins will look to complete the season sweep after beating the Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime back in early October. Connor Bedard and Andre Burakovsky both had a goal and an assist in that meeting. The Blackhawks have earned a point in nine of their last 14 games against Boston at the United Center, going 5-5-4.

Celebrating the Banner Year Era

Tonight will be a special night at the United Center as the Blackhawks honor the teams from the “Banner Years.” Quite a few players who have their name on the Stanley Cup were spotted at morning skate today, including Brent Seabrook, Dustin Byfuglien, Kris Versteeg, Andrew Ladd, Troy Brouwer, and Ben Eager.

“What an awesome story for this franchise,” captain Nick Foligno said. “These guys and what they’ve meant to this city. I think it’s really cool for the next generation to see this – that's what you could become if you do it right. It will be a lot of fun to celebrate them tonight.”

There is something to what Foligno said. All the young guys have to see is how the Chicago Bears have captivated the city by winning. The former Blackhawks who will be in the building tonight are legends. They owned this town for the better part of a decade. Connor Bedard and company could be the next team to do that in a few years. In the present, the building will be rocking, and the Blackhawks should feed off the energy to get off to a fast start.

Getting to the Middle of the Ice

It’s hard to win a hockey game when you don’t win the battle to get to the middle of the ice, especially in the NHL. You aren’t beating many teams with a perimeter game, and Blashill knows that tonight’s tilt will be won and lost in the “dirty” areas of the ice.

“They play a very good, structured game,” he said of the Bruins. “They penetrate the middle. Honestly, it won’t be a lot different from the Calgary game. That game was a good lesson for us about how important it is, especially when you’re down, to make sure you’re committed to getting to the middle of the ice through middle drive, committed to laying pucks behind, and being hard at the net. That’s how you have to score and potentially have the chance to tilt the ice, and then have a chance to score in transition. It will be a similar game. It will be a hard game on a somewhat muddy track. So, we’re going to have to be committed to playing that way.”

The Blackhawks had zero scoring chances in the third period against the Flames on Thursday. The best scoring chances come from in close and between the dots. If you aren’t willing to work for that area of the ice, you won’t win.

Injury Update

Frank Nazar took part in today’s morning skate, sporting a gray non-contact jersey and a half shield to protect his injured jaw. This was the first time he stayed on the ice for a full workout. Blashill sounded optimistic that he will be a full participant in practice soon, but didn’t think he’ll be ready for Monday’s game. However, it sounds like his return to the lineup will be shortly after that.

Teuvo Teravainen was not on the ice this morning and will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury. Blashill did not have any new updates on his condition.

Finally, Jason Dickinson left morning skate early after blocking a shot with his foot. Blashill anticipates that he will play tonight. If it wasn’t for bad luck, Dickinson would have no luck at all this season.

Season Series

10/9 @ BOS, L 3-4 OT
1/17 vs BOS

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Tyler Bertuzzi (24)
A-Connor Bedard (27)
P-Bedard (46)
PPG-Bertuzzi (9)
GWG-Bedard/Bertuzzi (3)
SOG-Bedard (113)
PIM-Colton Dach (45)

Bruins Team Leaders

G-Morgan Geekie (25)
A-David Pastrnak (37)
P-Pastrnak (57)
PPG-Pastrnak (9)
GWG-Geekie/Viktor Arvidsson (4)
SOG-Pastrnak (152)
PIM-Nikita Zadorov (115)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.74 (25th)
GA/G-3.11 (19th)
PP%-22.2 (12th)
PK%-85.0 (2nd)
SOG/G-25.2 (31st)
SA/G-29.7 (27th)
FO%-47.2 (26th)
PIM/G-10:21 (26th)

Bruins Team Stats

GF/G-3.27 (9th)
GA/G-3.06 (16th)
PP%-24.6 (6th)
PK%-78.8 (19th)
SOG/G-27.5 (21st)
SA/G-29.7 (28th)
FO%-52.3 (5th)
PIM/G-13:42 (31st)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Andre Burakovsky
Tyler Bertuzzi-Jason Dickinson-Ilya Mikheyev
Ryan Donato-Oliver Moore-Nick Lardis
Nick Foligno-Colton Dach-Landon Slaggert

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

Scratched
F-Sam Lafferty

Injured

F-Frank Nazar (upper body), F-Teuvo Teravainen (upper body)

Bruins Probable Lines

Forwards
Marat Khusnutdinov-Elias Lindholm-David Pastrnak
Casey Mittelstadt-Pavel Zacha-Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Steeves-Frase Mitten-Morgan Geekie
Tanner Jeannot-Sean Kuraly-Mark Kastelic

Defensemen
Jonathan Aspirot-Charlie McAvoy
Nikita Zadorov-Henri Jokiharju
Mason Lohrei-Andrew Peeke

Scratched
F-Mikey Eyssimont, D-Vladislav Kolyachonok, D-Billy Sweezey

Injured
D-Jordan Harris (ankle), D-Hampus Lindholm (undisclosed)

Goaltending Matchup

Arvid Soderblom (5-7-1, 3.87 GAA, .873 SV%, 0 SO) vs Joonas Korpisalo (8-8-0, 3.20 GAA, .894 SV%, 1 SO)