The Blackhawks end their season-opening road trip in Florida with a game tonight against the Panthers. The first homestand of the year starts Friday versus the Red Wings.
Carl Soderberg should be ready to join his new teammates for practices upon their return from Miami and should slot into the starting lineup for Friday's home opener.
--
Game Day
Game 4, January 19:
Blackhawks @ Panthers
6:00pm CST
Records:
Blackhawks, 0-3-0, 0 Pts
Panthers, 1-0-0, 2 Pts
Season Series:
0-1-0
Power Play:
Blackhawks, 3-10, 30.0%
Panthers, 1-4, 25.0%
Penalty Kill:
Blackhawks, 8-11, 72.7%
Panthers, 2-3, 66.7%
Previously unfit to play due to an undisclosed ailment, Sergei Bobrovsky will start in net for the Panthers after backup Chris Driedger was between the pipes on Sunday.
The big two in Miami -- Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau -- are always dangerous but Carter Verhaeghe and Eetu Luostarinen are also forwards to watch at both ends.
--
Player Capsules
Adam Boqvist
Amidst a struggling start to the year, the Hawks could bench Adam Boqvist if his play stagnates and give Nicolas Beaudin, Lucas Carlsson, or Wyatt Kalynuk a crack at the lineup.
While there are some weaknesses that Boqvist can work on during practice and perched from the press box as a healthy scratch, he really needs to boost his confidence the most.
So a key question is whether he can gain that confidence without playing in games so other D prospects get their turn or is it better to wait until the AHL begins and demote him.
Nicolas Beaudin, Lucas Carlsson & Wyatt Kalynuk
If either Beaudin, Carlsson, or Kalynuk makes his way into the lineup, each of their games are similar in many ways to the game of rookie standout Ian Mitchell.
Kalynuk may be the closest analog to Mitchell playing as many years and in an identical role in the NCAA. Beaudin isn't far off needing to continue gaining strength and defensive acumen.
Carlsson is the most defensively wired and physical of the trio but he is also a solid puck carrier with a sharp first pass out of the zone and hard, accurate point shot.
Alex DeBrincat & Dominik Kubalik
Although Alex DeBrincat has scored twice and Dominik Kubalik is still at zero in three games, both are getting their chances on their respective lines.
Each has a playmaker in Patrick Kane and Dylan Strome plus a talented space creator in Pius Suter and Philipp Kurashev. Scoring opportunities shouldn't be in short supply.
DeBrincat has broken the seal with a pair of PP goals and needs to build on that momentum. Kubalik is a volume shooter and volume scorer. Once he deposits one, the output should amplify.
Andrew Shaw
Shout out to Andrew Shaw for role modeling for the team what it means to have a solid work ethic and impeccable compete level. Despite health concerns, Shaw is still bringing it each game.
He is also living up to his word of not dialing back on the playing style that has carved out his reputation around the NHL. Exhibit A: jawing and jabbing with Radko Gudas on Sunday.
--
See you on the boards!
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»