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The Hawks return home after a quick trip to Raleigh, where they took on the Hurricanes. The team dropped this one 6-3, but once again, we saw why Connor Bedard is as advertised and why he is so important to this team. Since returning to the lineup, he has factored in all but one Blackhawk goal. In the first three games back, he is averaging 2 points per game, putting up 2 goals and 4 assists. When he is in the lineup, this team just feels like it is playing with more purpose. His line of Kurashev and Foligno has found their chemistry almost instantly, as both players have put up 4 points each, and that top line has accounted for 5 of the 7 goals the Hawks have scored. We all know this team isn’t going to win much this year, and as I’ve talked about throughout the season, we have to find other ways to enjoy this team and be happy with the small victories as this team develops throughout this rebuild. What Bedard has brought back to not only his line, but this team as a whole, is definitely one of those small victories and helps make this team watchable.
The Hawks kick off their five-game homestand with a visit from the surprising Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers were one of the teams that many people had finishing in the bottom 5 of the league heading into the season, but the Torts effect is real, and despite people criticizing his style, he is getting the results, which sees them comfortably in a playoff spot. With that being said, they have been struggling a bit as of late, as they are 4-5-1 in their last 10 and coming off a 6-3 loss in the Stadium Series against the Devils. They don’t really have any one player really blowing away the rest; their current point leader is Travis Konecny with 53 points. They seem to be getting a little bit from everyone and not simply relaying on any individual player, and when you don’t have a big-name superstar, being able to play four lines is huge. They will likely be going with Samuel Ersson in net tonight; he rocks a 15-10-4 record with a.898 save percentage and 3 shutouts. The 24-year-old has had to step up, especially after the whole Cart Hart situation, and while his numbers are Vezina-worthy, he’s getting the job done.
The Hawks will be going with Arvid Soderblom in net, who is coming off a rough start against the Penguins, giving up 3 goals on 26 shots. The other lineup changes for tonight will see Isaak Phillips in for Louis Crevier and Reese Johnson in for Boris Katchouk.
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