One last time this season, the Chicago Blackhawks will take the ice. Following last night’s thrilling 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars in front of fans for the first time this season at the United Center, Chicago looks to replicate that performance and finish the season with a “.500” record. Chicago clinched a season series win over the Stars with the win yesterday, holding a 5-2-0 record against Dallas in seven meetings this season.
Chicago will dress nine rookies tonight for the season finale, down Kevin Lankinen from the record-tying ten rookies who dressed for last night’s win. Prior to yesterday, the only other time in Blackhawks franchise history the club has dressed double-digit rookies in a game was during the 1926-27 season. No NHL team had dressed ten rookies in a game since April 2nd, 2016 when the Montreal Canadiens dressed eight rookie skaters and two rookie goalies, but not all ten played in the game. This season has been a testament to the growth and development of the youth of the organization and tonight should serve as the final send-off into the 2021-22 season, showcasing the future of the Blackhawks.
Broadcast Info
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH, BSSW+, NBCSN
Radio: WGN 720 AM / TUDN 1200 AM
Expected Lineups
Blackhawks (24-25-6, 54 pts)
Strome – Suter – Kane
DeBrincat – Kurashev – Hagel
KubalÃk – Kämpf – Hinostroza
Hardman – Entwistle
Mitchell – Kalynuk
Zadorov – Regula
Murphy – Stillman
Beaudin
Delia
Stars (22-19-14, 58 pts)
Kiviranta – Dickinson – Pavelski
Roberstson – Benn – Gurianov
Cogliano – Gardner – Comeau
Kero – Faksa
Lindell – Klingberg
Oleksiak – Heiskanen
Sekera – Hanley
Pysyk
Oettinger
Injury Report
Blackhawks:
Duncan Keith (Out for season – Concussion)
Brett Connolly (Out for season – Concussion)
Calvin de Haan (Day-to-day – Hip)
Ryan Carpenter (Day-to-day – Concussion)
Adam Boqvist (Out for season – Wrist)
Kirby Dach (Out for season – Wrist)
Brent Seabrook (LTIR – Retirement)
Zack Smith (LTIR – Back)
Andrew Shaw (LTIR – Retirement)
Alex Nylander (LTIR – Knee)
Jonathan Toews (LTIR – Illness)
Stars:
Alexander Radulov (IR – Lower body)
Ben Bishop (LTIR – Knee Surgery)
Stephen Johns (LTIR – Head Injury)
What To Watch For
• Alex DeBrincat is riding a a career-long six-game goal streak and a seven-game point streak heading into the regular season finale tonight. DeBrincat is third in the league with 31 goals this season, trailing on Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. His 1.06 points per game pace this year would be a new career high.
• Dominik KubalÃk has at least a point in four consecutive games against the Dallas Stars this season, while Patrick Kane leads the Blackhawks with eight points in seven games against the Stars this season.
• Collin Delia gets the season finale start for the Blackhawks tonight. He has a 1-3-0 record in five appearances this season for Chicago and a .903 save-percentage and 3.33 GAA. He made three appearances last week, all against the Carolina Hurricanes and stopped 77 of 82 shots faced in those appearances. He hadn’t played in a game for the Blackhawks since January 17th prior to last week.
Get Caught Up …
The team delivered a big win for the best fans in hockey at the @UnitedCenter.
Relive the special night ✶ pic.twitter.com/Flww3l97KN
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) May 10, 2021
Collin Delia starts tonight's final game. Adam Gaudette comes out of the lineup with Dylan Strome drawing back in. #Blackhawks
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) May 10, 2021
MacKenzie Entwistle's goal was the 41st scored by a Blackhawks rookie this season, most in the NHL.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 10, 2021