Blackhawks vs Avalanche Preview, Projected Lines
The Blackhawks (26-30-12) are set to take on the Colorado Avalanche (44-13-10) tonight in the second game of a back to back. After beating the Minnesota Wild 2-1 last night, Connor Bedard and company look to keep the good times rolling.
Photo by: Chicago Blackhawks
The Avalanche are still the top team in the NHL but they aren’t as hot as they were in October and November. They have lost 3 straight and 4 of their last 5. The Blackhawks on the other hand are feeling good after winning a game in Minnesota for the first time since 2017. These two teams have met twice this season already, Colorado has won both matchups (1-0 and 3-1) but Chicago looks to change that.
The Blackhawks are 3-2-2 since the trade deadline, where they lost their entire leadership group in Connor Murphy (A), Jason Dickinson (A), and Nick Foligno (C). This young core has been tested in the 7 games since then, and so far they have shown the ability to handle new roles and responsibilities. Since the departure of those 3 players, the Blackhawks haven’t had anybody to take over the game physically. Whether it be a big hit, a fight, standing up for a teammate, or starting shenanigans after the whistle, the young Blackhawks have had to look inward to fill that gap. In last night’s game, when Connor Bedard took a hit from Wild forward Ryan Hartman, Wyatt Kaiser jumped Hartman without hesitation. The same can be said about Defensemen Ethan Del Mastro, who didn’t hesitate to drop the gloves against Vegas after a hit from behind on the Blackhawks superstar. We are witnessing this young core figure out who is who, and who needs to do what. Leaders are starting to emerge.
Between the pipes, Arvid Soderblom will get the nod from Head Coach Jeff Blashill, as Spencer Knight played last night. Soderblom is 6-10-3 this season with 1 shutout and a .876 save percentage. It has not been a stellar season from #40. With one year left after this on his contract, his aim the rest of this season is to secure the backup role for the 2026-27 season.
Connor Bedard has been playing great hockey over this recent stretch of 7 games. Scoring 3 goals (2 game winning goals) and 8 points in that span. Connor has also been very affective off the score sheet, finishing checks, winning faceoffs, playing defensively responsible. Last night Bedard has 6 shots on goal and 11 shot attempts, he will shoot from anywhere. Watch for him to be all around the net tonight.
Projected Lines:
Greene - Bedard - Burakovsky
Bertuzzi - Nazar - Teravainen
Mangiapane - Donato - Mikheyev
Lardis - Slaggert
Grzelcyk - Levshunov
Vlasic - Rinzel
Kaiser - Crevier
Del Mastro
Soderblom
The Blackhawks went back to 11F/7D last night after scratching Sam Lafferty. Expect them to do the same tonight against Colorado, as they look to give all their young D-men ice time. Ethan Del Mastro has really impressed lately. With his limited ice-time he has been great defensively, throwing his body, getting involved after whistles, and he has even had an offensive mindset lately. Looking to join the rush, make plays from the point, and having a shot first mentality. If Del Mastro can continue this level of play, he may never see Rockford again.
