Blackhawks – Panthers Game #10: Back on Track?

The Chicago Blackhawks (3-6) play its first game in five days, going up against defending Eastern Conference Champion Florida Panthers (5-3-1). Opening faceoff set for 7pm.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

Any Blackhawks fan who stayed up for the late game Monday night against Arizona was none too pleased following the 8-1 shellacking at the hands of the Coyotes.  The Hawks opened the scoring with Connor Bedard’s fourth of the season, but that would be it for the rest of the game. 27 seconds in a goal. 59: 33 scoreless.

Blackhawks – Panthers Look Back

It was a split for the teams last season, with Chicago playing the Panthers tight both games. The Hawks prevailed 4-2 in October before falling in overtime in March. Florida would go on its run–squeaking into the playoffs thanks to a Blackhawks stunner over Pittsburgh. The rest as they say, is history as the Panthers parlayed the late season run into a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

The Other Side of The Ice

Florida Hockey Now is our National Hockey Now site for the Florida Panthers. Make sure to give George Richards a read, and a follow on Twitter or X or whatever we call it now.

Miscellaneous Musings

There’s some movement on the lines–with Lukas Reichel going to the wing on the second line. Confirming he was “pissed” with his lack of production, will this do the trick?

Regular readers know my thoughts on Reichel and I think bumping him up with Bedard before it starts really affecting him between the ears is the way to go.

Best Case/Worst Case/Final Verdict

Best Case –  The Blackhawks goal scorers wake up and snag a much needed win after a brutal loss last Monday

Worst Case – It’s more of the same, even with Taylor Hall back to help jumpstart the offense.

Final Verdict: Hall returns and slots in on the third line, leaving Nick Foligno to flank Bedard on the left. There’s been a spark there, and perhaps with Hall helping on the third line, the top nine has a little more scoring threat. Head coach Luke Richardson said if it doesn’t work out, it’s an easy flip to put Hall back on the top line.

The issue for the Blackhawks at points early on are playing a full 60 minutes. Against Arizona, it was over before the first period horn sounded. A home game should calm things a bit, but how they respond will be important.