The Blackhawks finally play a game at the United Center. This will be their fifth and final home opener after playing the visiting role in four on their five-game trip to open the season. This will be the first time Blackhawks fans get to see Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski in a game that actually matters/means something, so I expect a loud, packed house.
Home Opener Events Info
The Blackhawks will — weather permitting — host their red carpet celebration before the home opener. Some details:
- Parking in Lots A, D, F and K will open at 2:30 PM.
- Outdoor bars and viewing areas will be open beginning at 3 PM.
- Blackhawks celebrity arrivals on the red carpet are expected at approximately 4:30 PM.
- Doors open for ticketed fans around 5 PM following red carpet events.
- A special Q&A with Blackhawks Alumni Chris Chelios will take place in the Atrium at approximately 5:15 p.m.
- Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:45 p.m. for this season’s opening show inside the arena, full roster introductions and a tribute to late Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz.
Broadcast Info
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM CT
TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720 AM
Expected Lineups
Chicago Blackhawks
Taylor Hall — Connor Bedard — Taylor Raddysh
Tyler Johnson — Lukas Reichel — Andreas Athanasiou
Nick Foligno — Jason Dickinson — Corey Perry
Boris Katchouk — Ryan Donato — Reese Johnson
Alex Vlasic — Seth Jones
Kevin Korchinski — Connor Murphy
Wyatt Kaiser — Nikita Zaitsev
🥅 Arvid Söderblom
Vegas Golden Knights
Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Jonathan Marchessault
Paul Cotter – Chandler Stephenson – Mark Stone
Brett Howden – William Karlsson – Michael Amadio
William Carrier – Nicolas Roy – Keegan Kolesar
Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore
Nicolas Hague – Alec Martinez
Ben Hutton – Brayden Pachal
🥅 Aidan Hill
Injury Report
Chicago Blackhawks
- The Blackhawks are still without forwards Philipp Kurashev (wrist), Colin Blackwell (lower body) and Colton Dach (right ankle).
Vegas Golden Knights
- Alex Pietrangelo is banged up but not on IR. Zach Whitecloud, Daniil Miromanov, and Robin Lehner are on IR.
What to Watch For
- Bedard gets another game against some really good centers, this time facing Eichel, Stephenson and Karlsson.
- Raddysh moves up to the top line and Donato moves down to center the fourth line.
- Korchinski’s getting moved up to skate with Jones on the top pair. Vlasic was really good there, but their ice time was nearly equal on the trip. How does the Korchinski-Jones pair work defensively?