Blackhawks look to change fortunes in Seattle & play spoiler

Chicago Blackhawks (27-35-14, 68 pts) @ Seattle Kraken (32-31-11, 75 pts)
9 pm CT – Climate Pledge Arena
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks will meet the Seattle Kraken for the third a final time this season. They lost the first two games of the series back in November. After winning on home ice, the Kraken beat the Blackhawks at the United Center on Nov. 20. The Blackhawks were in control of the game through 40 minutes before blowing a 2-0 lead in the second period. Many remember that game for the abuse of officials penalty on Connor Bedard that led to Seattle’s game-winning power-play goal.

It’s been an up-and-down season series for Andre Burakovsky. He scored the Blackhawks’ lone goal in the first meeting. In the second game, he was has hit in the head by defenseman Ryan Lindgren and his season hasn’t been the same since. Tyler Bertuzzi will look to stay hot against Seattle tonight. He has two goals and five points in his last four games against the Kraken. Two of those games have been multi-point efforts, including a goal and an assist in the last contest.

Bucking the Trend

The Blackhawks earned a win in their first-ever visit to Climate Pledge Arena. Since then, they have only one point in six trips back. They are 4-9-1 all-time against the Kraken, so they are looking to start a trend in their favor.

The Kraken spent much of the season in a playoff spot, but enter tonight’s game four points out of a wild card spot. Their playoff hopes are fading, but they should still be a desperate team. The Blackhawks need to be ready to match that desperation and urgency right from the opening draw. If not, it could be another long night.

Lardis Good to Go

Late in Thursday’s loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Nick Lardis left the game after taking a Teuvo Teravainen shot off the left hand. Fortunately, it looks like the rookie winger has avoided a serious injury as he was on the ice for today’s morning skate.

Lardis had spent the last couple of games with Ryan Green and Bedard, and the results haven’t been great. The trio has spent far more time defending than playing with the puck, posting a 33.33 Corsi for percentage (CF%). While they’ve only been outscored 1-0, they've given up 24 scoring chances while producing only 10.

Midway through the game, head coach Jeff Blashill swapped out Greene for Teravainen, and the line instantly improved. In their 6:58 of 5-on-5 time together, they had a 71.43 CF%, outchanced the Oilers 7-3, and outscored them 1-0. There were no line rushes at today’s morning skate, but I expect this trio will stay together.

Other Lineup Changes

Andrew Mangiapane is getting closer to returning, but the birthday boy will not play tonight. Blashill will likely keep the four lines we saw during the third period in Edmonton. However, I wonder if he’s tempted to play Dominic Toninato, who has three goals in four career games against the Kraken.

We do know that the defensive pairs have been changed. Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser have swapped partners, with Rinzel moving up and Louis Crevier going down. The young duo of Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro remains intact. Vlasic and Rinzel have played 201:29 of 5-on-5 together this season, allowing 11 goals and 104 scoring chances. In 195:43 of 5-on-5 time, Crevier and Kaiser have surrendered eight goals and 108 scoring chances.

Season Series

11/3 @ SEA, 1-3 L
11/20 vs SEA, 2-3 L
4/4 @ SEA

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Tyler Bertuzzi (31)
A-Connor Bedard (39)
P-Bedard (69)
PPG-Bertuzzi (11)
GWG-Bedard (5)
SOG-Bedard (208)
PIM-Louis Crevier (59)

Kraken Team Leaders

G-Jordan Eberle (24)
A-Chandler Stephenson/Vince Dunn (30)
P-Eberle (52)
PPG-Jared McCann/Matty Beniers/Stephenson (6)
GWG-Brandon Montour/Eberle/Dunn (3)
SOG-Dunn (162)
PIM-Ryan Lindgren

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.54 (31st)
GA/G-3.24 (25th)
PP%-17.6 (27th)
PK%-83.6 (1st)
SOG/G-24.4 (32nd)
SA/G-30.3 (31st)
FO%-46.1 (31st)
PIM/G-9:04 (19th)

Kraken Team Stats

GF/G-2.80 (26th)
GA/G-3.07 (18th)
PP%-20.1 (19th)
PK%-72.9 (31st)
SOG/G-25.5 (27th)
SA/G-29.3 (24th)
FO%-47.8 (25th)
PIM/G-7:38 (4th)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards

Teuvo Teravainen-Connor Bedard-Nick Lardis
Tyler Bertuzzi-Anton Frondell-Ilya Mikheyev
Ryan Donato-Frank Nazar-Ryan Greene
Andre Burakovsky-Sacha Boisvert-Landon Slaggert

Defensemen

Alex Vlasic-San Rinzel
Wyatt Kaiser-Louis Crevier
Kevin Korchinski-Ethan Del Mastro

Scratched

F-Sam Lafferty, F-Dominic Toninato

Injured

F-Oliver Moore (lower body), F-Andre Mangiapane (lower body), D-Matt Grzelcyk (upper body), D-Artyom Levshunov (hand)

Kraken Probable Lines

Forwards

Jared McCann-Matty Beniers-Jordan Eberle
Bobby McMann-Chandler Stephenson-Kaapo Kakko
Berkly Catton-Frederik Gaudreau-Jaden Schwartz
Eeli Tolvanen-Oscar Fisker Molgaard-Jacob Melanson