Smith has not played since November 1st, tending to an upper-body injury, but will finally return to Nashville's lineup on Wednesday. Before his injury, the 30-year-old forward had three goals in 13 games.
The Blackhawks have lost four of seven in December (2-4-1), and few players have stood out, but Knight has remained serviceable between the pipes despite poor team efforts, posting a 2.60 GAA and .903 SV% in five outings (2-2-1). The 24-year-old goalie has a 2.52 GAA and .915 SV% in 22 games this season (10-7-5). The Blackhawks enter Tuesday's contest as +174 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has earned points in six of its last seven games (4-1-2).
Artyom Levshunov will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Del Mastro to re-enter the lineup. The 22-year-old Del Mastro has only played one game with Chicago this season. He has six points (2G / 4A) in 27 career games.
Strong play from Levshunov rewarded him with overtaking a role on Chicago's top powerplay unit, but he has cooled down lately and will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. He has 14 points (1G / 13A) in 31 games this season, but has only one assist in his last seven games. Ethan Del Mastro will draw into the lineup as Levshunov's replacement.
The Blackhawks have lost four of seven in December (2-4-1), and few players have stood out, but Knight has remained serviceable between the pipes despite poor team efforts, posting a 2.60 GAA and .903 SV% in five outings (2-2-1). The 24-year-old goalie has a 2.52 GAA and .915 SV% in 22 games this season (10-7-5). The Blackhawks enter Tuesday's contest as +174 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has earned points in six of its last seven games (4-1-2).
Kane has regularly missed multi-game stents with the Red Wings over the past three seasons, and will return to the sidelines for at least two more games due to an upper-body injury. The 37-year-old forward has already missed nine games this season, but he has been terrific when healthy, scoring 23 points (6G / 17A) in 24 games.
Bedard did not play in Chicago's most recent game and was placed on Injured Reserve. The severity of his injury remains unclear but he is expected to be re-evaluated in the New Year and is not expected to need surgery. The 20-year-old Bedard has been having a breakout season with 44 points (19G / 25A) in 31 games and will be eager to return to the lineup as soon as possible as he continues to make his case for the Canadian team at the Olympics.
After recording six points (2G / 4A) in 24 games with the Blackhawks last season, Del Mastro has been limited to only one game with the team thus far in 2025-26. The 22-year-old Del Mastro has spent most of the campaign in the AHL, where he has 11 points (1G / 10A) in 27 games with the Rockford IceHogs.
Knight had his worst performance of the season on Saturday, allowing six goals on 32 shots (.813 SV%) in a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, but followed it up with one of his best, saving all 21 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season in a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers. The 24-year-old Knight has regularly been a bright spot in an up-and-down season for the Blackhawks, posting a 2.50 GAA and .916 SV% in 21 games (10-6-5). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +106 road underdogs against a struggling St. Louis Blues team that has been outscored 12-4 in their last two games (0-2-0).
Knight had his worst performance of the season on Saturday, allowing six goals on 32 shots (.813 SV%) in a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, but followed it up with one of his best, saving all 21 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season in a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers. The 24-year-old Knight has regularly been a bright spot in an up-and-down season for the Blackhawks, posting a 2.50 GAA and .916 SV% in 21 games (10-6-5). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +106 road underdogs against a struggling St. Louis Blues team that has been outscored 12-4 in their last two games (0-2-0).
After an outstanding start to his first full season with the Blackhawks, posting a solid 2.50 GAA and .924 SV% in 13 games (7-3-3), Knight has struggled to maintain that excellence, posting a 3.0 GAA and .889 SV% in his last seven (2-3-2). He has a sub- .900 SV% in five of his last seven games, but will be motivated to have a strong performance with his team trying to break a two-game slump where they have been outscored 13-1. The Blackhawks enter Wednesday's contest as +122 home underdogs against a New York Rangers team with points in four straight games (2-0-2).
After an outstanding start to his first full season with the Blackhawks, posting a solid 2.50 GAA and .924 SV% in 13 games (7-3-3), Knight has struggled to maintain that excellence, posting a 3.0 GAA and .889 SV% in his last seven (2-3-2). He has a sub- .900 SV% in five of his last seven games, but will be motivated to have a strong performance with his team trying to break a two-game slump where they have been outscored 13-1. The Blackhawks enter Wednesday's contest as +122 home underdogs against a New York Rangers team with points in four straight games (2-0-2).
Smith has not played since November 1st, tending to an upper-body injury, and will miss at least one more game. Before his injury, the 30-year-old forward had three goals in 13 games. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.
Toninato is no stranger to the NHL, with 35 points (13G / 22A) in 189 career games, but has almost exclusively played in the AHL over the past two seasons. The 31-year-old forward has 17 points (5G / 12A) in 24 games with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) this season.
Rinzel was drafted 25th overall by the Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and was believed to be a candidate for the Calder Trophy before the start of the season. The talented 21-year-old defenseman got off to a hot start, with three points (1G / 2A) in his first seven games, but has struggled since, with only five in his last 21 (0G / 5A). He has been reassigned to Rockford (AHL) to play a more prominent role and hopefully gain some confidence before returning.
Slaggert has played 10 games for the Blackhawks this season, but has not draw into the lineup since November 26th, serving as a healthy scratch. He has one goal and is averaging 9:04 time-on-ice with Chicago.
