NEWSLETTER
Just the fact that we got to this point over the last 36 hours is a win.
The Chicago Blackhawks had to cancel their Saturday practice due to precautions regarding COVID-19, while Ryan Carpenter and Nicolas Beaudin were placed on the NHL COVID-19 protocol list.
But the team was able to get on the ice this morning, and are scheduled to not miss their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Let’s go.
Broadcast Info
Puck Drop: 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH, FS-O
Radio: WGN 720 AM
Expected Lineups
Blackhawks (2-4-3, 7 pts)
Janmark – Suter – Kane
Kubalík – Strome – Kurashev
Hagel – Söderberg– Shaw
Highmore – Kämpf – Johnson
Keith – Carlsson
De Haan – Mitchell
Zadorov – Murphy
Lankinen
Blue Jackets (4-2-3, 11 points)
Foligno – Texier – Bjorkstrand
Grigorenko – Domi – Foudy
Jenner – Roslovic – Atkinson
Robinson – Koivu – Nash
Gavrikov – Jones
Werenski – Savard
Del Zotto – Kukan
Merzlikins
Injury Report
Blackhawks:
Brent Seabrook (IR – Lower Back)
Zack Smith (IR – Back)
Kirby Dach (LTIR – Out 4-5 months – Wrist)
Alex Nylander (LTIR – Out 4-6 months – Knee)
Jonathan Toews (LTIR – Illness)
Alex DeBrincat (Day-to-day – COVID Protocol)
Adam Boqvist (Day-to-day – COVID Protocol)
Lucas Wallmark (Day-to-day – COVID Protocol)
Ryan Carpenter (Day-to-day – COVID Protocol)
Nicolas Beaudin (Day-to-day – COVID Protocol)
Blue Jackets:
Patrik Laine (Day-to-day)
Gustav Nyquist (Out Indefinitely – Shoulder)
Brandon Dubinsky (LTIR – Wrist)
What To Watch For
• Reese Johnson makes his NHL debut for the Blackhawks tonight, due to the amount of injuries and COVID-related absences.
• Patrick Kane has played an incredible amount of minutes in the last few games. With the lineup returning to the traditional 12 forwards and 6 defensemen, the minutes for forwards might even-out. But don’t count on it with the aforementioned Johnson making his NHL debut.
• Kevin Lankinen makes his sixth start of the season in the last seven games for the Blackhawks. He’s 2-1-2 this season with a .930 save percentage. He has yet another chance to lock-up the starting job if he’s able to string together another quality start.
Betting Odds
The Blackhawks are once again +1.5 underdogs for tonight’s matchup against the Blue Jackets, according to DraftKings, and currently sit +115 on the moneyline.
[bet-promo id=”166783″ ]
Get Caught Up …
Hear from Connor Murphy ahead of tonight's #CHIvsCBJ matchup. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ESEij2Yn1M
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 31, 2021
Updated #NHL debut tracker for the #Blackhawks during 2021 season:
Game 1: Ian Mitchell, Pius Suter
Game 2: Philipp Kurashev
Game 4: Kevin Lankinen
Game 10: Reese Johnson— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) January 31, 2021
DYK? Kevin Lankinen has allowed two goals or fewer in four straight outings. His .930 save percentage is fifth in the NHL (min. 5 appearances).@RotoRooter | #BetweenThePipes pic.twitter.com/kmsdyFI3pD
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 31, 2021
Jeremy Colliton on Reese Johnson: "He keeps getting better. Really improved his skating, his pace to his game, he plays hard, tremendous [on] faceoffs, right-handed faceoff player. [He] hasn’t had a chance to do it in the NHL, but he’s been good at all other levels." #Blackhawks
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) January 31, 2021
Colliton: "I talked to team yesterday, we had a Zoom meeting, and the main messages was: 'We know we're facing adversity… The circumstances, it really doesn't matter. The most important thing is we find a way to push through, and that can make our team stronger.'"
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 31, 2021
