The Chicago Blackhawks are preparing for a crucial matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This game is set for Thursday night and will mark head coach Jeff Blashill’s first meeting with his former boss, Jon Cooper.
Key Players Potentially Missing
The Blackhawks may face this challenge without two essential forwards. Jason Dickinson is expected to miss another game due to a lingering injury. He missed the previous match against the Anaheim Ducks and has been sidelined in three of the team’s first eight games this season. Blashill stated, “I don’t expect Dickinson tomorrow. I would anticipate that Sunday would be a better opportunity for him.”
In addition to Dickinson’s absence, Andre Burakovsky may not participate due to a personal matter. He and his wife, Johanna, welcomed their second child, Lily, on Monday. It’s unclear if Burakovsky will travel to Florida for the game against the Lightning.
Impact on the Lineup
If Burakovsky cannot join the team, Lukas Reichel will likely take his place on the top line, skating with Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi. Reichel previously performed well in a game against the St. Louis Blues, contributing a goal and an assist.
Current Line Combinations
Here are the lines used during practice:
- Reichel – Bedard – Bertuzzi
- Teravainen – Nazar – Mikheyev
- Dach – Greene – Donato
- Slaggert – Foligno – Lafferty
The defense pairs include:
- Vlasic – Rinzel
- Kaiser – Levshunov
- Grzelcyk – Murphy
With captain Nick Foligno returning after a leave of absence, he is expected to rejoin the team in a game against the Lightning. Foligno had taken time off for a family medical situation involving his daughter.
As the Blackhawks look for their fourth win in five games, they are eager to rise in the standings. Blashill remains focused on maximizing player performance, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and accountability within the roster.
