Blackhawks Game #79: A Beginning and the Beginning of the End

It’s the beginning of a professional career tonight in Chicago, with Ethan Del Mastro making his debut for the Blackhawks while the it’s the first of the final two home games of Chicago’s season. While it usually marks some kind of sadness, a season totalling 50 losses already often has “relief” as one of the words to mark the near end of something.

Not that there aren’t storylines to still watch. But the Blackhawks have what could be another building block in the lineup tonight, paired with the newly returned Connor Murphy. Seeing Alex Vlasic, Kevin Korchinski and Del Mastro in tonights top six pairings gives another glimpse of what the future has in store for an organizational pipeline rich in blue line talent.

What about Connor Bedard? He is still chasing a few icons in his pursuit of rookie points and assists marks as the season winds down.

Can the Hawks bounce back from what was a disastrous start too big to overcome?

The Predators have a playoff spot locked up and are seeking some more cushion to be finish out as the top Wild Card spot in the conference.

Again, plenty to watch as it’s the beginning of Del Mastro’s career in Chicago while it’s the first of the final two home games for the 2023-24 season.