Blackhawks vs Wild: Lines, Predictions, Notes, Players To Watch

The Minnesota Wild had a night on Tuesday when at home they dominated the Chicago Blackhawks 7-2. Now, after a few days of rest, the Chicago Blackhawks have a chance to answer at home.

The Blackhawks and Wild will take to the ice in Chicago’s 5th preseason game tonight with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. While no preseason game is ever going to be considered a must win, this is certainly an important game for the Hawks.

Chicago has had a rough go this preseason. With a record of 0-3-1, the Blackhawks have been outplayed pretty much every night – however there have been some bright spots. Tonight’s preseason game is another test for the team. With the home crowd and a lineup of NHLers, this is a big game tonight.

Blackhawks Projected Lines:

Bertuzzi-Bedard-Teravainen
Hall-Kurashev-Mikheyev
Foligno-Dickinson-Anderson
Smith-Donato-Maroon

Brodie-Jones
Vlasic-Murphy
Allan-Phillips

Mrazek
Commesso

Predictions:

Tonight should be the night the Blackhawks get in the win column. After a bad loss on the road, combined with the energy of a home crowd – the Blackhawks should come out flying tonight. With a lineup that could resemble opening night, this is a big game tonight. It will be interesting to see how head coach Luke Richardson handles the lines and assignments. My final prediction: Blackhawks 4 – Wild 2.

How to Watch:

Channel: Chicago Sports Network
Radio: WGN 720
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Notes:

Obviously the Hawks still have another “home” game tomorrow in Milwaukee, but tonight’s matchup definitely is a big one in Chicago. The Blackhawks have not played a complete game yet. Look for how the team competes throughout the course of a full 60 minutes at home. While positives could be found in each of the previous four games, tonight isn’t about one shift or one line standing out. The Blackhawks need to get a win and start the season on a positive note.

Players to Watch:

The Top Line: Luke Richardson has spoken positively of the Blackhawks top line – specifically of the play from Bedard and Teravainen. Bertuzzi, Bedard and Teravainen seem destined to start the regular season together. How will Bedard perform with two star wingers on his line?

Alex Vlasic and Connor Murphy are another interesting pairing entering tonight’s game. The two played together in 40 games last season and were one of the better pairings the Blackhawks had throughout the season. Murphy had been playing with Korchinski throughout much of the preseason so it will be interesting to see how the lineup shakes up now on the blue line.