After stealing two points from the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night, the Chicago Blackhawks look to make it three wins in-a-row tonight. And if they’re are able to get that win, it’ll tie their longest win-streak of the season! Yahoo!
Kevin Lankinen will get the start in net for the Blackhawks tonight, where he holds a 6-2-3 record in his previous 11 starts this season (.925 save percentage and a 2.49 GAA). Lankinen also leads all rookie goaltenders in wins and save percentage this season.
Broadcast Info
Puck Drop: 6:30 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSN
Radio: WGN 720 AM, TUDN 1200 AM
Expected Lineups
Blackhawks (8-5-4, 20 pts)
DeBrincat – Suter – Kane
Hagel – Strome – KubalÃk
Janmark – Söderberg – Kurashev
Carpenter – Kämpf
Keith – Mitchell
de Haan – Carlsson
Zadorov – Beaudin
Boqvist
Lankinen
Subban
Red Wings (4-10-3, 11 pts)
Zadina – Larkin – Brome
Ryan – Fabbri – Mantha
Filppula – Namestnikov – Gagner
Nielsen – Glendening – Erne
Merrill – Hronek
Staal – Stecher
Nemeth – Djoos
Greiss
Bernier
Injury Report
Blackhawks:
Brent Seabrook (IR – Lower Back)
Zack Smith (IR – Back)
Andrew Shaw (IR – Concussion)
Kirby Dach (LTIR – Wrist)
Alex Nylander (LTIR – Knee)
Jonathan Toews (LTIR – Illness)
Connor Murphy (Day-to-day – Hip)
Red Wings:
Henrik Zetterberg (IR – Retired)
Darren Helm (Day-to-day – Lower Body)
Tyler Bertuzzi (Day-to-day – Upper Body)
What To Watch For
• The Blackhawks need to get off to a good start tonight. While they were able to hold a 2-1 lead over the Red Wings after the first period last night, they were thoroughly out-played and it translated through the rest of the game until finding the overtime winner. If they can come out and control the action early on, they’ll hopefully find themselves with another two point night without needing extra time. Chicago has won their last four games that have gone to overtime and are 4-4 in extra time this season, leading the NHL with eight games that have gone to overtime or the shootout.
• Brandon Hagel is getting his first career NHL goal tonight. Book it.
• The Blackhawks have out-scored the Red Wings 13-5 in three games so far this year.
Betting Odds
The Blackhawks are -1.5 point favorites against the Red Wings tonight, and find themselves at -140 on the moneyline according to the DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook. You can go right here to sign up and make a bet.
[bet-promo id=”166783″ ]
Get Caught Up …
Colliton on where he wants to see Hawks improve vs. Monday:
"It starts on the breakouts: being cleaner with the puck, finding a way to break pressure… [Monday], we turned a lot of pucks over, which allowed them to generate momentum and rush opportunities."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 17, 2021
Kevin Lankinen (.925%, 2.49 GAA) will start tonight at 6:30 vs. the Detroit Red Wings
"As he gets accustomed to the league he's going to gain confidence. I think that's one of his best qualities, actually, his self belief."–Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) February 17, 2021
Colliton on Strome: "[He's] not been quite as good lately but I have no problems. He's trying. The biggest thing for me is keeping his feet moving. That'll allow him to get pucks back… Guys like Kuby and Hagel can help [Strome] have more possession in the offensive zone."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 17, 2021
Kane on DeBrincat: "You guys see a nice kid who's smiling all the time, but he's really competitive. He's competitive in the gym. Even when we're playing golf, he's always checking the scorecard."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 17, 2021
"These young guys, they're young, but it's not like they're kittens."
It's true, we already have DeBrinCats right meow. #Purr pic.twitter.com/128JlFHltj
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 16, 2021
Kane singles out Kurashev unprompted as a young player who has impressed him.
"He's obviously very skilled but he's been playing some good hockey for us."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 17, 2021