Defense and growth are focal points for Blackhawks against Mammoth

Chicago Blackhawks (24-29-11, 59 pts) vs Utah Mammoth (34-25-5, 75 pts)
8 pm CT – Delta Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth wrap up their four-game season series with their third game in the last 11 days. The Blackhawks can complete the season sweep with a victory, as they have won the first three games by a combined 10-3 score. They haven’t played since Monday’s overtime win over the Mammoth. Meanwhile, Utah was pushed around in a 5-0 loss against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.

Monday’s game saw the ire between these two teams ramp up. There were a lot more conversations and altercations after the whistle throughout the night. With the Mammoth looking to avoid a sweep and keep their six-point cushion in the wild card standing, you’d expect more of the same tonight. However, head coach Jeff Blashill was happy with what he saw out of his team on Monday.

“There were some scrums,” he said. "There was some good emotion to the game. That’s a good thing for everyone involved. Those are fun games. I was excited for our guys for sticking up for each other. That’s something that’s important to me.”

Nazar Heating Up

Blackhawks fans have been wanting to see Frank Nazar get his season back on track for some time. With two goals and six points in his last four games, we are starting to see the player who earned the big contract extension last summer. While some fans lost confidence in the second-year forward during his struggles, he never lost confidence in himself.

“Honestly, I think it's always been there,” Nazar said. “I’ve had a lot of meetings with the coaches, and we’ve talked about a lot of things personally. It’s about executing on these opportunities that I get. Even in the games before where the puck’s not going in, it’s all been there. It’s just a matter of getting that puck to cross the line. I’ve got to keep my head high, stay humble, and continue to work.”

Getting back with Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen has helped. The trio has been very good when they’ve played together. They have created 53 scoring chances and 21 high-danger scoring chances together, the third-most of any line this season.

“I love playing with Bert and Teuvo; two great players. They find ways to make plays. I had a lot of chemistry with them last year and at the beginning of this year.”

Defense Leading to Offense

Ever since his introductory press conference, Blashill has preached that good defensive hockey leads to playing winning hockey. We are starting to see this young team buy into this philosophy.

“Since the break, I think all but one game, we’ve won the total Grade A chances for and against battle,” he said. In the other one, we were tied. When you win that on a regular basis, you put yourself in a position to win games. We’ve given up very few Grade As. That’s how you ultimately build to becoming a real winning hockey team. Your foundation has to be great defensively, and we’ve done a good job of that.”

In the six games since the Olympic break ended, the Blackhawks have allowed an average of 7.5 high-danger scoring chances, far below their 10.2 season average. This season was all about progress, and while the wins and losses may not be where you want them, you are seeing positive steps forward that will lead to more points and better seasons down the road.

More Lessons for Lardis

When Nick Lardis was recalled in December, he got to move right into the top six because of Connor Bedard’s injury. When Nazar went down a few days later, his opportunity became greater. With both of them healthy now, Lardis has played a limited role on the fourth line during his second stint. Blashill’s general explanation of how he’s handling young players down the stretch makes sense logically.

“I think there are a lot of guys here that are going to be part of the solution next year,” he said. “The most important thing we have to do as we coach the games is to grow as individuals and as a team. Learn how to play winning hockey. Continue to do that as these games ramp up and become harder and harder. We want to continue to grow so we don’t have to take that growth next year. Just putting guys up in the lineup doesn’t necessarily mean growth. I can’t look through the lineup and see too many guys where I can say, ‘he doesn’t need to grow’ in order to have success.”

He’s not wrong about Lardis needing to learn more of the little things that make you a successful NHL player. However, at some point, he’s going to need to take the training wheels off before the end of the season.

Season Series

10/13 vs UTA, 3-1 W
3/1 @ UTA, 4-0 W
3/9 vs UTA, 3-2 W (OT)
3/12 @ UTA

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Tyler Bertuzzi (27)
A-Connor Bedard (34)
P-Bedard (60)
PPG-Bertuzzi (10)
GWG-Bedard/Bertuzzi (3)
SOG-Bedard (170)
PIM-Louis Crevier (49)

Mammoth Team Leaders

G-Dylan Guenther (30)
A-Clayton Keller (45)
P-Keller (64)
PPG-Guenther/Nick Schmaltz (6)
GWG-Guenther/Schmaltz (6)
SOG-Guenther (198)
PIM-MacKenzie Weegar (76)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.64 (27th)
GA/G-3.16 (22nd)
PP%-19.4 (20th)
PK%-85.5 (1st)
SOG/G-24.4 (32nd)
SA/G-29.3 (24th)
FO%-46.6 (30th)
PIM/G-9:12 (21st)

Mammoth Team Stats

GF/G-3.12 (16th)
GA/G-2.78 (4th)
PP%-16.7 (26th)
PK%-78.6 (19th)
SOG/G-27.6 (19th)
SA/G-26.0 (5th)
FO%-49.5 (19th)
PIM/G-9:16 (22nd)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Andre Burakovsky
Tyler Bertuzzi-Frank Nazar-Teuvo Teravainen
Andrew Mangiapane-Ryan Donato-Ilya Mikheyev
Nick Lardis-Sam Lafferty-Landon Slaggert

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

Scratched
D-Ethan Del Mastro

Injured
F-Oliver Moore (lower body)

Mammoth Probable Lines

Forwards
Clayton Keller-Nick Schmaltz-Dylan Guenther
JJ Peterka-Logan Cooley-Lawson Crouse
Jack McBain-Barrett Hayton-Kailer Yamamoto
Alexander Kerfoot -Kevin Stenlund-Michael Carcone

Defensemen
MacKenzie Weegar -Sean Durzi
Nate Schmidt-John Marino
Ian Cole-Nick DeSimone

Scratched
F-Brandon Tanev, F-Liam O’Brien, D-Maksymilian Szuber

Injured
D-Mikhail Sergachev (lower body)

Goaltending Matchup

Arvid Soderblom (6-10-3, 3.70 GAA, .876 SV%, 1 SO) vs Karel Vejmelka (30-17-2, 2.69 GAA, .899 SV%, 1 SO)