NEWSLETTER
It’s Red Wings day for the Chicago Blackhawks! It’s a real shame that conference realignment moved Detroit into the Eastern Conference, watering down one of the greatest rivalries in sports. Still, there’s not much cooler than a packed United Center chanting “DEE-TROIT SUCKS!” at the top of their lungs, especially when the Blackhawks are beating them, something that has eluded Chicago this season.
• Unfortunately, the winless Blackhawks might have to try to break into the win column tonight without their best player as Patrick Kane is currently in COVID-19 protocols, and his status for tonight is up in the air.
Patrick Kane, Ryan Carpenter, and Erik Gustafsson Enter COVID-19 Protocol https://t.co/lETbD0aZCP
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 23, 2021
•  The good news is that Ryan Carpenter and Erik Gustafsson both participated in the team’s optional morning skate at the United Center this morning, which likely means that they’ve cleared COVID-19 protocols and will play against Detroit. However, Patrick Kane was not a participant in this morning’s skate, and head coach Jeremy Colliton declined to comment on whether or not Kane will play tonight.
Asked whether Kane could play tonight, Colliton said, "I think with all these COVID guys, there's just so much going on, we're just going to take it one day at a time. We'll see what we have tonight."
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) October 24, 2021
•  So, we’ll see what happens. As of now, there are no lineups available for tonight, but I would imagine that you can count on Marc-André Fleury in net for the Blackhawks. If Kane can’t clear the protocols, forward Reese Johnson — who was recalled from Rockford yesterday — could take Kane’s place in the lineup.
•  The Blackhawks might also be without forward Jujhar Khaira tonight after leaving the morning skate with an undisclosed issue.
Colliton also didn’t have an update on Jujhar Khaira, who left the morning skate early. Colliton said he’ll set his lineup tonight.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) October 24, 2021
•  Whatever the lineup ends up being tonight, let’s hope that the Blackhawks can get on the scoreboard early and get in front of Detroit. If not, there’ on pace to break the record for the longest drought without a lead to start a season in NHL history. As Mark Potash points out this morning, the California Golden Seals went 324 minutes and 25 seconds before their first lead during the 1970 NHL season. Entering tonight, the Blackhawks have played 300 minutes and 57 seconds without a lead to open the season. If we get into the second period and the Blackhawks aren’t leading, they’ll be in dangerous territory of breaking this historical low point.
The Blackhawks could make dubious NHL history tonight. The NHL record for the longest drought without a lead to start a season is 324:25 by Charlie O. Finley's California Golden Seals in 1970, per research via @stathead. The Hawks (0-4-1) are at 300:57 going into tonight's game.
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) October 24, 2021
•  Happy Birthday, Jamal Mayers!
Happy 47th Birthday to #Blackhawks 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Jamal Mayers! pic.twitter.com/co0NKY0DEk
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 24, 2021
•  This is pretty cool:
This arena is subterranean, so you walk in at the top, about where I’m standing. They excavated 680,000 cubic yards of earth and built a 740,000-square-foot new arena under the historic roof. It’s about twice the size of the old arena. https://t.co/euYmfcutGp
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) October 23, 2021
•.  ICYMI:
The Blackhawks Are Struggling, But Colliton is Safe? And They’re Still Rebuilding? Okay, Then https://t.co/9RSXW5jj84
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 23, 2021
•.  The Bulls keep on rolling after a clobbering Detroit last night. They’re off to a perfect 3-0 start to the season.
Chicago Bulls Full Game Highlights: 97-82 Win Over the Detroit Pistons
https://t.co/loMRYQzTVM— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) October 24, 2021
•.  BEAR DOWN!
Week 7 Preview: Bears at Buccaneers — October 24, 2021https://t.co/iU4z9ON0iI
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) October 22, 2021
That’s it for today!
