Blackhawks Game #71: The Final Celebrini Cup Game Tonight

The Chicago Blackhawks (19-46-5) take on the San Jose Sharks (16-46-7) to finish off the west coast trip. Puck drop is 9:30pm tonight.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

The Blackhawks were the first shutout victim of the season for the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. The Ducks prevailed 4-0 and sent the Blackhawks to their second straight loss.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

Scouting the Opponent & Miscellaneous Musings

It’s the third and final game in the “Slack for Mack” sweepstakes, both games being won by the Blackhawks in Chicago. It’s not as if the Sharks are really that upset about it, either.

San Jose sits four points behind in the lottery race and have a game in hand, too. Unless the Blackhawks really go into a tailspin, the Sharks stand to be given the 25% odds at adding Macklin Celebrini to their roster. Coming into the game riding a six-game losing streak, it’s very likely they hit seven after tonight’s game.

It’s been a tough two games for Chicago, meanwhile, being blown out 6-2 by Los Angeles on Tuesday and then shutout by Anaheim Thursday. San Jose bookends the pair of contests, and head coach Luke Richardson brings a forward back into the lineup today while Jarred Tinordi sits after an 11-7 lineup against the Ducks.

So to ask again what a fan should be rooting for? The young players doing well tonight. Seeing Bedard climb the rookie chart for season points is fun to chart. How about Landon Slaggert netting his first NHL goal?

For me, it’s watching Wyatt Kaiser. I alluded to it the other day that the blue line should be a major source of focus in the offseason, bringing in guys to complement and help build around those young players as much as possible. Alex Vlasic has played well in his own right but having Seth Jones on the right side really helps, too.

Kaiser has looked good in his two games back, and his continued progress and momentum will likely cement him in a third pairing next season. Finding that other defenseman to pair him with is paramount.

Or might it have been foreshadowed in Rockford when he lined up with Ethan Del Mastro a few times?

A storyline to watch for next season perhaps.

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