Pre-Gamin’: Blackhawks at Blue Jackets (6:00 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Odds, Game Thread
And we’re back!
The Chicago Blackhawks come off a three-day break and head out to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first of their two-game mini-series tonight. This is the fifth of eight meetings between the teams this season, and will make Columbus the most-faced opponent for the Blackhawks at this point in the year. Chicago ranks fourth in points (22) and fourth in points percentage (.579) in the Central Division, while Columbus ranks fifth in points (20) and sixth in points percentage (.529) in the Division. The teams have split their first four meetings this season (2-2-0).
Broadcast Info
Puck Drop: 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH, FS-O
Radio: WGN 720 AM / TUDN 1200-AM
Expected Lineups
Blackhawks (9-6-4, 22 pts)
DeBrincat – Suter – Kane
Hagel – Wallmark – Kubalík
Janmark – Söderberg – Kurashev
Carpenter – Kämpf
Keith – Mitchell
de Haan – Boqvist
Murphy – Zadorov
Beaudin
Lankinen
Subban
Blue Jackets (8-7-4, 20 pts)
Laine – Roslovic – Atkinson
Jenner – Texier – Foligno
Grigorenko – Stenlund– Bjorkstrand
Robinson – Nash – Domi
Gavrikov – Jones
Harrington – Carlsson
Savard – Peeke
Korpisalo
Kivlenieks
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)
Lucas Carlsson (IR – Groin)
Dylan Strome (Day-to-day – Concussion)
Blue Jackets:
Gustav Nyquist (Out Indefinitely – Shoulder)
Brandon Dubinsky (LTIR – Wrist)
Elvis Merzlikins (IR – Upper Body)
Zach Werenski (Day-to-day – Lower Body)
Michael Del Zotto (Day-to-day – Lower Body)
Betting Odds
The Blackhawks are +1.5 point underdogs against the Blue Jackets tonight, and find themselves at +100 on the moneyline according to the DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook. You can go right here to sign up and make a bet.
What To Watch For
• Chicago’s special teams units have been leading the way all season. Expect more of that to continue against a Blue Jackets team that ranks in the bottom-third of the NHL in both the powerplay and penalty-kill.
• I’ve talked about it prior to tonight’s game, but Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat are having career years. Their chemistry together will need to continue if the Blackhawks are going to sustain their level of success they have enjoyed so far this season. Kane leads the Blackhawks in points this season with 26 in 19 games, while DeBrincat ranks second with 18 in 15 games. They both lead the team in multi-point games this year as well, with Kane having eight and DeBrincat having six.
• Kevin Lankinen gets the start tonight for the Blackhawks. He has been one of the top-ten goalies in the NHL this season and is the leader in the clubhouse right now for league Rookie of the Year in my book. He has a 7-3-3 record this season with a .927 save percentage and a 2.43 GAA. He has gone 4-2-1 in the month of February and recorded his first career shutout on February 17 against the Red Wings.
Get Caught Up …
Kevin Lankinen will start tonight vs. Columbus.
Rest of lineup TBD. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 23, 2021
Colliton says the Blackhawks worked particularly on clean puck retrievals, breakouts, neutral zone play and offensive zone puck protection during these past 2 practices.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 23, 2021
Brandon Hagel:
"I go into wanting to every game prove I belong here. That’s what I have to do every game for as long as I’m in this league.
After 14-15 years, maybe not. But you know what I mean."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 23, 2021
#CBJ will welcome David Savard back to the lineup tonight vs. #Blackhawks. He missed Saturday’s game with an illness.
Savard replaced Michael Del Zotto in the lineup. He’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
G Joonas Korpisalo gets the start.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 23, 2021
#CBJ move G Elvis Merzlikins to injured reserve. Matiss Kivlenieks recalled to NHL roster to serve as Joonas Korpisalo’s back-up tonight vs. #Blackhawks.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 23, 2021
