Things are transitioning soon in Blackhawks land, with just one home game in February due to the Olympic break and the looming trade deadline. Newer, younger faces are on their...
Things are transitioning soon in Blackhawks land, with just one home game in February due to the Olympic break and the looming trade deadline.
Newer, younger faces are on their way up in the NHL, and while the Blackhawks look better than last year, they’re still on the outside of the playoff picture and in a favorable position for the draft lottery.
On Monday, they face the San Jose Sharks for the first of three meetings this season. Two teams that many pit against each other when comparing rebuilds and where the organizations stand in their processes, the Sharks sit one point out of a playoff spot in the West, with the Blackhawks nine points behind the last wildcard spot and eight points behind the Sharks.
Looking to try something new here and open up my notebook from morning skates for the remainder of the season.
Lineup and Injury Notes
• The Blackhawks will be without Nick Foligno on Monday after he exited the game against the Penguins last Thursday after just two shifts. He is considered day-to-day by coach Jeff Blashill.
• Spencer Knight is expected to start.
• Artyom Levshunov will miss his second consecutive game as a healthy scratch. Sam Rinzel takes his spot again on the second pair and on the power play.
• Oliver Moore will center the fourth line for the second consecutive game, flanked by Landon Slaggert and Colton Dach. Blashill said that his 8:48 TOI on Friday night in his first game in that role “wasn’t enough” time, but they are working him in a more “energy/matchup” role with Yanni Gourde in mind. I personally would like to believe Moore has more to offer higher in the lineup, but the current roster construction is likely limiting his opportunity. That will change once the deadline passes.
Chit Chat
Had the chance to speak with Oliver Moore, Colton Dach, and Ryan Greene after morning skate about a number of topics, including the Olympic break, matching up against Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks, and more.
On facing the up-and-coming San Jose Sharks:
Oliver Moore: “I expect a fun game. They’re a younger team too and we’re in similar spots in the rebuilds we’re going through.”
Ryan Greene: “We know we’re two younger teams with a lot of guys who are on the rise, but that’s not exactly how we’re approaching this game. For us, it’s a team above us in the standings and we have to find a way to get two points against them.”
Colton Dach: “It’s a big game. We’re chasing them and trying to get some wins and get to a playoff spot.”
On going against Macklin Celebrini:
Greene (former BU teammates): “Hopefully, I remember some of his moves from practices. He’s elite. He’s proven himself a lot this year, and it’s well deserved. I’m excited to play against him for the first time (Monday).”
Moore: “Kind of how we’ve seen from him (Celebrini) and (Will) Smith, both of them this season and the last few years, they’re special players. They’re guys who like to make plays, so hopefully we can shut them down.”
Dach: “Obviously, he’s a good player. They have a lot of good young players. If we do the right job of playing our system the right way, shutting them down, we’ll have a good outcome.”
On the upcoming Winter Olympic break:
Dach: “It’s going to be nice to have a break and get to hang out with some friends and be away from the rink and have a reset. If we can get some momentum going into the break, we can get some better vibes and higher spirits; it’ll help us in the latter part of the season.”
Greene: “I think it’s more like we only have two games before this break so let’s push for them. We’ll get some time off and we can enjoy that but two games left and we want to get four points.”
Moore: “There is so much desire to get better every day, I’ve felt that the entire time I’ve been up here. Honestly, talking to some of the guys, I’m not really looking forward to the break. I love being around these guys and playing. We’re going to try to relish it and take advantage of it rather than wish it away. I’m excited to play these two games, get the break and then come back at it.”
Watching the Olympics and rooting for or against Teuvo Teräväinen:
Dach: “I’ll probably just watch Canada and maybe make a bet with some of the guys around here. … Teuvo’s a close friend and I’ll be cheering for him for individual success, but probably not team success. He’s going to do well. He’s excited. It’ll be fun to see him on that big stage.”
Greene: “I love the Olympics. I’ll watch all of it, not just hockey. I find all the sports are pretty sweet to watch…I’m going for Canada for sure. Teuvo’s on an island here, too many Canadian guys in here.”
Moore: “With the afternoon games, I’ll watch a ton of it. USA and Canada are the big two you want to watch, Sweden’s got a great team, and, obviously, Turbo. Probably going to be wearing a Teräväinen jersey watching on the couch…But I’m still going for the home country, USA. I love Turbo, but the first Gold since 1980 would be nuts.”
Category: General Sports
