NEWSLETTER
After taking their first break on Sunday, the Blackhawks got back onto the ice for training camp today. And seeing Kevin Lankinen back on the ice with the team after being placed in COVID protocol on Thursday was a very welcomed development. Lankinen worked with the first group in practice on Monday.
Kevin Lankinen #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/BzH0vOcUgk
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) September 27, 2021
Monday’s practice also saw the Blackhawks run their powerplay units for the first time in the preseason. Chicago’s top unit in practice consisted of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Tyler Johnson, and Seth Jones.
That’ll play.#Blackhawks Powerplay work pic.twitter.com/b3oyYLyRCQ
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) September 27, 2021
It was only the first day of seeing the powerplay in action, and this is all still just day four of training camp, but the first unit looked good and got off on the right foot to start the work on the man-advantage.
Toews➡️Kane➡️Johnson🚨#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/l4JuALvK9c
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) September 27, 2021
Again, things were clicking. Tyler Johnson seems to be enjoying playing alongside Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, but who wouldn’t?
Tyler Johnson finds Alex DeBrincat with no-look pass for power-play goal. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/IM3lSxtZfZ
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 27, 2021
Johnson is getting an opportunity on the top line with the Blackhawks to begin training camp playing with Kane and DeBrincat on his wings. He’ll have to be reliable at the faceoff dot if he’s going to remain in that position as we get closer to the beginning of the season.
Jonathan Toews is a good player to learn from and compete against when it comes to faceoffs.
Toews and Tyler Johnson working on faceoffs#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/p4SIL0yeUb
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) September 27, 2021
Four days up and four days down for Toews in his return to the Blackhawks. With unknown expectations of Toews’ health, it’s been great to see him competing like his normal self so far in the first four days of practice, and be out there every day.
Toews and Hagel working on shots after practice. Hagel with some celly practice as well…#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/vTZtJpOJLc
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) September 27, 2021
It’s a positive sign for Toews as the first preseason game approaches on Wednesday. Following two split sessions on Monday, the Blackhawks will  hold a scrimmage on Tuesday ahead of their first preseason game on Wednesday against the Red Wings at the United Center.
