Chicago Blackhawks News

Petr Mrazek was rewarded with a two-year contract extension on Wednesday, but the Blackhawks will turn to Soderblom between the pipes for only his second start in the last two weeks. Despite his lack of play, Soderblom has been serviceable lately, allowing three or fewer goals in his last three starts (0-3-0) and posting a solid .918 SV%. That said, the Blackhawks are +262 road underdogs against a Seattle Kraken team outscored 15-5 in their last four games (0-4-0).

Kane has missed the last three games due to a lower-body injury but returned to practice on Wednesday. Earlier this week, Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde suggested that Kane could return before the All-Star break. Kane has been a major contributor in the Red Wings offence, scoring 16 points (7G / 9A) and tallying 63 shots in 19 games.

Bertuzzi was not at practice on Tuesday and will be away from the team again on Wednesday, missing the Maple Leafs contest against the Winnipeg Jets to attend to the birth of his child. Bertuzzi had one point in the Maple Leafs' previous contest, snapping a three-game pointless skid.

Smith's 16 points (5G / 11A) in 46 games have been rewarded with a two-year, $2 million contract extension. The 28-year-old winger has most recently been playing on a line with Michael McCarron and Philip Tomasino.

Byram will return to the Avalanche lineup on Wednesday for his first game since January 4th, an eight-game absence. Before his injury, Byram was amid a cold stretch, with only two points (1G / 1A) in his last 11 games.

Bertuzzi did not practice on Tuesday to attend to the birth of his child, but he could be ready to play on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. Bertuzzi had one point in the Maple Leafs' previous contest, snapping a three-game pointless skid.

Lukas Reichel and Cole Guttman will be healthy scratches on Monday as Donato will return to the lineup after a two-game absence. Donato recorded an assist in his last outing, snapping an 11-game pointless skid.

It's unclear whether this is a healthy scratch or if it's related to some unknown injury. Donato has six goals and eight assists in 42 games this season.

Petr Mrazek's run of five consecutive starts will be over after all as Soderblom will be in the crease for Chicago on Thursday. Soderblom was originally projected to play the tail-end of a back-to-back on Wednesday, but the postponement of that game to Thursday opened up the door for the red-hot Mrazek to stay between the pipes. Nevertheless it will be Soderblom in goal, who hasn't played since January 5th. Soderlbom owns an abysmal 2-13-1 record on the season to go along with his .875 SV%. Things won't get any easier for him on Thursday with the Blackhawks being +225 underdogs in Buffalo.

Kane exited Sunday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the first period, playing only 1:07 time-on-ice, with a lower-body injury. Red Wings' head coach Derek Lalonde stated that he believed the injury was not related to his hip, which he had surgery on in the offseason, but he will miss at least the next two games. Kane has been a major contributor in the Red Wings offence, scoring 16 points (7G / 9A) and tallying 63 shots in 19 games.

Kane exited Sunday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the first period, playing only 1:07 time-on-ice, with a lower-body injury. A medical update hasn't been provided yet, but following the game, Red Wings' head coach Derek Lalonde stated that he believed the injury was not related to his hip, which he had surgery on in the offseason. Kane has been a major contributor in the Red Wings offence, scoring 16 points (7G / 9A) and tallying 63 shots in 19 games.

Cole was replaced by Noah Juulsen on Tuesday as he was a healthy scratch for maintenance reasons. Cole had appeared in every game this season for Vancouver at the age of 34 and has a goal, six assists, 32 SOG and 36 PIMs in 40 games played.

The Blackhawks will be without rookie phenom Bedard for the next 6-8 weeks after successfully undergoing surgery on Monday. Bedard took a heavy open-ice hit from the Devils' Brendan Smith in the first period of Friday's game and did not return. In addition to being out for the next several weeks, Bedard will also be unable to compete at the All-Star game. Bedard's absence further hurts an already injury-depleted Blackhawks roster, whose active scoring leader is now Philipp Kurashev, who has only 23 points (8G / 15A) in 34 games.

Cole will take a rest Tuesday as he is a healthy scratch due to maintenance as Noah Juulsen takes his place in the Canucks' lineup. Cole has appeared in every game this season for Vancouver at the age of 34 and has a goal, six assists, 32 SOG and 36 PIMs in 40 games played.

Greenway did not participate at practice on Monday due to an illness but is expected to be ready for Tuesday's game against the Seattle Kraken. Greenway has been held without a point in five straight games but has accumulated eight hits over that stretch.

Greenway did not participate at practice on Monday due to an illness and his status is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Seattle Kraken. Greenway has been held without a point in five straight games but has accumulated eight hits over that stretch.

The Avalanche had already announced that Byram was still undergoing evaluations and would not play Saturday, but now he has landed on IR and will miss at least one week. Look for Caleb Jones to draw into the lineup on Saturday.

Byram left Thursday's game with a lower-body injury and did not return. The Avalanche said that he's still being evaluated, so he will not be available for Saturday's game vs. the Panthers. Expect Caleb Jones to draw into the lineup tomorrow.