So y’all wanted to see Lukas Reichel with more skilled linemates. Heck, even I was intrigued by the potential of Reichel finally getting to put his speed to use with Frank Nazar and Colton Dach. And, after Philipp Kurashev‘s abysmal performance on Friday night in Detroit, it felt like a great opportunity for Reichel to grab a spot and run with it. The result: the worst 5-on-5 numbers on the Blackhawks’ entire roster.
Here’s the thing: Reichel got 11 shifts in the game. Every second he skated was at even strength. He attempted zero shots. “It’s not Reichel” will undoubtedly be mentioned somewhere in my mentions/comments. Well, on Friday night in Detroit (a terrible overall team performance), Nazar and Dach were on the ice for 9:58 together (primarily with Teuvo Teräväinen). In a game in which the Blackhawks were overwhelmed (45-25 Corsi For differential at 5-on-5), Detroit only had a 7-6 shot attempt advantage in the time Nazar and Dach were together. In fact, the shots were even with two for each side.
The combination of Nazar and Dach looked good before Saturday night. It disappeared with Reichel joining them. That’s not good for Reichel.
- Ryan Donato scored his 13th goal of the season last night in his 41st game. He scored 12 in 78 games last year, and his career high is 16 (in 74 games for Seattle during the 2021-22 season). Donato also set his career best in points with 31 that season. He has 24 thru Saturday night. I hope he breaks every personal best of his career this season. He works hard and has been one of the Blackhawks’ most consistent workers.
- With Teräväinen heating up again (three goals in his last two games), the Blackhawks now have five skaters in double digits in goals already this season: Tyler Bertuzzi (14), Donato (13), Nick Foligno (11), Connor Bedard (11) and Teräväinen (10). Taylor Hall and Ilya Mikheyev both have eight and Jason Dickinson has seven as well. Last year’s Blackhawks only had six skaters reach the 10-goal plateau.
- Maybe Connor McDavid’s family will convince him to convince Hockey Canada to bring Bedard to the 4 Nations Face-Off in February?
- Alec Martinez returned to the lineup last night, which is good news. After taking a puck to the neck soon after returning from his previous injury, it’s been a crazy time for Martinez. Good story from Ben Pope on that here.
- Wyatt Kaiser got to watch last night’s game from the press box with Martinez returning from IR. Consider me one of the masses that would prefer he skates every night over TJ Brodie. That experiment has failed miserably. I know Connor Murphy is going to be out for a while (week-to-week per interim head coach Anders Sorensen before the game), but it’s time to prioritize the future and put the best 18 skaters on the ice. Brodie is not one of the best six defensemen on the roster. I would argue he isn’t one of the nine best defensemen in the organization. Dress Kaiser please.
- It admittedly got a little dusty around my seat at the United Center last night. Not only did they have a Purple Heart recipient on the ice for the anthem, but he was joined by a World War II veteran. He remained in his wheelchair during the Canadian anthem but rose with some assistance and stood for the Star-Spangled Banner. Amazing.
Hey how about some Blackhawks prospect highlights?
- Sacha Boisvert scored his ninth goal of the season — and it happened to be the overtime game-winner for North Dakota!
#Blackhawks prospect Sacha Boisvert with the OT GWG for @UNDmhockey
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 12, 2025
🚨🔥
pic.twitter.com/qn1Nkodcq5
- Ryan Greene scored the final goal as BU beat the fightin’ Patrick Sharps from Vermont 7-4.
- Dominic James scored Minnesota-Duluth’s game-winning goal in a 5-2 upset of St. Cloud State. James was credited with three shots on net, won 9 of 21 faceoffs and blocked one shot in the game.
Saturday night 🚨 for #Blackhawks prospect Dominic James for @UMDMensHockey
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 12, 2025
pic.twitter.com/lUNBiBlSSY
- Aidan Thompson scored Denver’s fourth goal of the night and had an assist in a 6-2 win over Miami (OH). He was credited with six shots on net.
Saturday night 🚨 for #Blackhawks prospect Aidan Thompson for @DU_Hockey
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 12, 2025
pic.twitter.com/FHep3sTfkc
- Welcome back to Minnesota, Oliver Moore! He picked up the primary assist on the Gophers’ third goal of the first period and won 13 of 22 faceoffs in the game. Sam Rinzel also picked up an assist in a blowout 6-1 win over Ohio State.
The boys are buzzing tonight 🐝 pic.twitter.com/CkxF8mEr4m
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) January 11, 2025
- In the OHL, Nick Lardis made this pretty move and scored his 34th of the season for Brantford last night. Marek Vanacker had an assist in the game as well.
I mean…. 👀
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 12, 2025
34th 🚨 of the season for #Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis for @BulldogsOHL
pic.twitter.com/Il6RUZF3Hz
- Jack Pridham scored the first and last goals of the night for the Kitchener Rangers in a 4-2 win. He now has 13 goals and 25 points in 21 games since joining the Rangers.
First career OHL goal for Freeze to open the scoring 🥶#RTown | #BattleBuilt pic.twitter.com/nOULheiouw
— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) January 12, 2025
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