Blackhawks Risk Missing Two Key Forwards Against Lightning
The Chicago Blackhawks are preparing to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday evening. This matchup comes as the Blackhawks seek their fourth victory in five games. Head coach Jeff Blashill will go against Jon Cooper, his former boss and the Lightning’s head coach.
Key Players Missing from the Game
As the Blackhawks gear up for the game, they might be without two significant forwards: Jason Dickinson and Andre Burakovsky. Dickinson has been nursing a nagging injury and likely won’t play against the Lightning. He previously missed the game against the Anaheim Ducks and has now been sidelined for three of the first eight games this season. Coach Blashill stated, “I don’t expect Dickinson tomorrow. I would anticipate that Sunday against Los Angeles would be a better opportunity for him.”
Burakovsky, on the other hand, is absent not due to injury but to welcome the birth of his second child this past Monday. His absence raises uncertainty about whether he will rejoin the team in time for Thursday’s game, potentially opening a spot on the first line alongside Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi.
Practice Lineup Adjustments
With Burakovsky’s absence, Lukas Reichel stepped in during practice, skating with Bedard and Bertuzzi. This shift follows Reichel’s impressive performance in a recent game against the St. Louis Blues, where he contributed with a goal and an assist.
Blashill has also opted to maintain consistent line pairings. The expected lines for the Tampa Bay matchup are:
- Reichel – Bedard – Bertuzzi
- Teuvo Teravainen – Frank Nazar – Ilya Mikheyev
- Colton Dach – Ryan Greene – Ryan Donato
- Landon Slaggert – Nick Foligno – Sam Lafferty
Captain Nick Foligno rejoins the lineup after a brief leave of absence related to his daughter’s health issue. The hope is that his experienced presence will bolster the team against the Lightning.
Looking Ahead
The Blackhawks aim to build on their recent performances, despite the challenges posed by potential absences. As they face the Lightning, both the players and coaching staff remain focused on maximizing their strengths and cultivating strong relationships within the team.
Fans can expect an intriguing contest as the Blackhawks look to capitalize on recent momentum while navigating the complexities of player availability.
