Chicago Blackhawks News

The Blackhawks will hope to snap a three-game losing skid on Thursday when they turn to Soderblom between the pipes in a matchup against the Nashville Predators. The 25-year-old Soderblom struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 2.99 GAA and .903 SV% in 19 appearances this season (6-11-1). The Blackhawks enter Thursday's contest as significant +241 road underdogs against a Predators squad coming off an impressive 5-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Kuzmin was a third-round pick, 82nd overall, of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old defenseman has yet to play an NHL game. He has four points (1G / 3A) in 21 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Panthers will turn to Knight between the pipes on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. Knight has only played once in the previous seven game but was stellar in that outing, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 23-year-old Knight has a 2.80 GAA and .891 SV% in 15 appearances this season (7-6-1).

T.J. Brodie will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Calgary Flames, allowing Kaiser to re-enter the lineup. The 22-year-old Kaiser is averaging 17:44 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 32 games this season.

Pat Maroon will draw back into Chicago's lineup on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings, sending Reichel back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Reichel is averaging 12:25 time-on-ice, nearly two minutes less than last season, and has 11 points (3G / 8A) in 35 games.

Pat Maroon will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche, allowing Reichel to re-enter the lineup. Reichel has 11 points (3G / 8A) in 34 games this season but is averaging only 12:30 time-on-ice, nearly two minutes less than the 14:07 he was playing last season. The 22-year-old forward has only two points (0G / 2A) in his last 13 games.

Lafferty will fill in for Beck Malenstyn (illness) after serving as a healthy scratch for Saturday's game in Vegas. Lafferty has just one goal and two assists in 29 games this season.

Knight went 2-2-1 with a 3.80 GAA and .846 SV% in five games in December. Knight will look to put a tough month of December behind him, as he starts January with a decent matchup vs. the Penguins. Despite being on the second half of a back-to-back, Knight and the Panthers have the second-highest implied Win% (65.6%) on the slate. Knight has been significantly better on home-ice this season, going 2-3-0 with a. 2.09 GAA, .914 SV% and one shutout in Florida, versus 4-3-1 with a 3.39 GAA and .871 SV% on the road.

Murphy is battling through a groin injury, did not practice on Thursday, and will not play on Friday. The 31-year-old Murphy has been a steadying force on the blue line for the Blackhawks this season, averaging 20:33 time-on-ice and scoring 13 points (1G / 12A) in 38 games. Wyatt Kaiser will draw into the lineup as Murphy's replacement.

Connor Murphy will not play on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens due to a groin injury, allowing Kaiser to re-enter the lineup. Kaiser has not played since December 14th. He is averaging 17:33 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) in 28 games this season.

Petr Mrazek played in Chicago's 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues in Tuesday's Winter Classic. The Blackhawks will revert to Soderblom between the pipes on Friday, looking to snap a five-game losing skid. Soderblom allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. He has a 2.78 GAA and .907 SV% in 16 games this season (5-9-1). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +124 home underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens squad outscoring their opposition 12-4 during a three-game winning streak.

Reichel has 11 points (3G / 8A) in 34 games this season but is averaging only 12:30 time-on-ice, nearly two minutes less than the 14:07 he was playing last season. The 22-year-old forward has only two points (0G / 2A) in his last 13 games.

Murphy is battling through a groin injury and did not practice on Thursday. The 31-year-old Murphy has been a steadying force on the blue line for the Blackhawks this season, averaging 20:33 time-on-ice and scoring 13 points (1G / 12A) in 38 games. The Blackhawks return to action on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens.

Dach was recalled on Thursday and will likely make his NHL debut on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 21-year-old Dach is in his second professional season, scoring 25 points (12G / 13A) in 30 games with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL).