Blackhawks practice notebook: injury updates, line rushes, Bedard discusses linemates

The Chicago Blackhawks hit the ice for practice on Monday (Oct. 19) after a disappointing 4-0 shutout loss to the Dallas Stars over the weekend. This loss was especially tough to swallow because they weren't able to score, but also because the team enjoyed two wins before that. The contest against the Stars was their first loss since Connor Bedard returned from shoulder injury. Plus they don't play again until Friday, Oct. 23, versus the Montreal Canadiens, meaning this tough loss is going to fester all week.

But the show must go on, and the Blackhawks are looking to make the most of their time off with a combination of practice and rest. Let's check in on the vibes from practice on Monday.

Mangiapane skated before practice, Byram still out

In some good news, Andrew Mangiapane was skating ahead of practice on the other ice sheet. The depth forward has been out since sustaining an lower body injury during the Blackhawks season opening 5-2 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 29. Mangiapane only played nine shifts and logged 5:23 minutes of ice time.

Head coach Jeff Blashill didn't have much of an update on the 30-year-old, but obviously it's good to see Mangiapane on the ice. Said Blashill, "He's obviously not in position to play, but we have multiple days this week, so I have no idea where he'll be as the week goes on. I just know that today was a day that he took a step in terms of getting on the ice."

Blashill did not have an update on Bowen Byram, who was not at practice Monday and has missed the last two games with an upper body injury. He's listed as day-to-day. With so much time between games, the hope is he'll be back at some point this week.

Blackhawks Practice Notes

The Blackhawks had a rather long and intense practice, going over an hour. Obviously, this corresponds with no games all week, but the team also probably wanted to put in the work after a tough loss. Practice consisted of retreival and exit zone drills, as well as some line rushes and battle drills using just half the ice sheet.

For what it's worth, forward lines and defensive pairings were the same as they were on Saturday against the Stars.

Roman Kantserov - Connor Bedard - Patrick Kane

Tyler Bertuzzi - Anton Frondell - Teuvo Teravainen

Oliver Moore - Frank Nazar - Ryan Donato

Cole Smith - Ryan Greene - Jordan Greenway

Alex Vlasic - Ian Cole

Wyatt Kaiser - Artyom Levshunov

Ethan Del Mastro - Sam Rinzel

It's encouraging that the Hawks are finally settling into some consistent forward lines. In the two previous contests (and wins) before Saturday's loss, the team was rolling all four lines on a pretty consistent basis, with everyone contributing in their roles.

Frank Nazar returning from a two-game suspension versus the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 15 allowed the Blackhawks to deploy him as the third center between Oliver Moore and Ryan Donato. This seems to be just another piece to the puzzle in terms of balanced lines. The trio combined for two goals in this contest, and their underlying statistics have been positive.

The top two lines (with Bedard returning against the Penguins on Oct.13) have found success over the last handful of games, and the fourth line has been a consistent shutdown line since the preseason. Hopefully the Blackhawks are on to something with their line combinations, and everyone can stay healthy moving forward.

The defense, on the other hand, has been struggling all season. It also doesn't help having Byram out. Ethan Del Mastro has drawn in in his stead, playing with Artyom Levshunov two games ago but since switched to playing with Sam Rinzel. After practice Blashill touched on what the defense needs to improve on.

"In our D-zone breakouts, you need a lot of work. That's just those areas where, when you're playing D-zone and all of a sudden you get a loose puck, how do you handle that? You get it out. How do you get it out? And that's where I think the maturity process of knowing when you have the puck, when you have time, when you don't have time, do you need to punt it? Can you go take-the-tape?"

This is obviously a work in progress, and something to monitor as the season progresses.

Bedard weighs in on linemates Kane & Kantserov

I had a chance to chat with Bedard a little bit after practice. I spoke with Patrick Kane a few days ago about their line of him, Bedard and Roman Kantserov, so I wanted to get Bedard's input as well. On he and Kane's seemingly instant chemistry, he said,

"I think we both think the game kind of similar. We like to try to make plays and be creative and stuff. And obviously, we only played a few games together, and we can get better. But yeah, I thought it's been good. We've gotten our looks, but I think we definitely can can be even better for sure ... He's obviously pretty easy to play with. He's unbelievable, so it's fun for me."

I love how Bedard basically said twice that they will only get better, which is obviously the goal (pun intended). Despite not scoring against the Stars on Saturday, this trio was on the ice for seven scoring chances for to eight against, and three shots for to two against.

Bedard weighed in on Kantserov's impact as well. "He just thinks the game so well; so skilled. He's so good at like getting in spots for us. Like I guess power play is a good example of him just always being in a good spot where no one is, kind of quiet ice. So that's a lot of fun for me and Kaner because we like to hold on to the puck, we like to to make plays, and it seems like he's always open for us.

Case in point from the Blackhawk's 5-3 win over the Penguins on Oct. 13.

Hopefully Bedard and Kane and Kantserov can continue to build chemistry as they go. After all, they've only played together for three games! It should be super fun to watch these guys progress moving forward.

The Blackhawks are scheduled to practice on Tuesday and Thursday this week, with a rest day on Wednesday. They'll have their usual morning skate this Friday ahead of their matchup with the Montreal Canadians at 7 p.m. at the United Center.

Keep it here at Blackhawk Up for practice updates and player features throughout the week, while we wait for the Blackhawks next matchup this Friday!

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