Blackhawks vs. Golden Knights: Game Preview
Tonight, the Chicago Blackhawks face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in the decisive game of their season series at T-Mobile Arena. The Blackhawks have a chance to snag five out of six possible points against Vegas, a feat that would further solidify their road prowess this season.
The Blackhawks have proven they’re no strangers to road success, securing 30 of their 61 points away from home. With points in eight of their last 12 road games, and a current three-game road point streak, they’re looking to continue this trend.
Teuvo Teravainen is on fire, boasting three goals and seven points in his last five road games. Another point tonight would mark a career-high six-game road point streak for him.
Both previous matchups against the Golden Knights this season have stretched beyond regulation, hinting at another tight contest. The Blackhawks have evolved since their shootout loss in Vegas back in December, learning to close out tight games as demonstrated in their recent win over the Utah Mammoth. Goalie Spencer Knight has noticed a shift in the team’s dynamics, especially after the trade deadline reshuffle.
“Losing key players is tough,” Knight noted. “But new guys are stepping up, and we’re just focusing on battling through.”
Penalty Kill vs. Power Play
The Blackhawks boast the league’s top penalty kill, but they face a formidable test tonight. The Golden Knights have a lethal power play, scoring 21.3% of their goals with the man advantage, ranking fifth in the NHL. Pavel Dorofeyev and Tomas Hertl are the driving forces, combining for 29 power-play goals this season, matching entire team totals for some franchises.
The strategy for Chicago is clear: avoid penalties and find a way to neutralize Dorofeyev and Hertl.
Bertuzzi’s Betting Odds
Tyler Bertuzzi has been a thorn in Vegas’ side this season, racking up four goals, including a hat trick, and five points in their series. With 18 goals and 31 points on the road this season, betting on Bertuzzi to make an impact tonight seems like a safe wager. Since being named an alternate captain, he’s added two goals and four points in just four games.
“It’s an honor to wear a letter,” Bertuzzi shared. “I lead by example on the ice.”
Injury Update
Wyatt Kaiser will sit out tonight’s game due to a shoulder injury, despite participating in morning skate. Coach Jeff Blashill expects him back for Tuesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Wild. Ethan Del Mastro will step in on defense.
Season Series Recap
- 12/2 @ VGK: 3-4 L (SO)
- 1/4 vs VGK: 3-2 W (OT)
- 3/14 @ VGK
Team Leaders and Stats
Blackhawks Leaders:
- Goals: Tyler Bertuzzi (28)
- Assists: Connor Bedard (35)
- Points: Bedard (62)
- Power-Play Goals: Bertuzzi (11)
- Game-Winning Goals: Bedard (4)
- Shots on Goal: Bedard (172)
- Penalty Minutes: Louis Crevier (49)
Golden Knights Leaders:
- Goals: Pavel Dorofeyev (32)
- Assists: Jack Eichel (50)
- Points: Eichel (74)
- Power-Play Goals: Dorofeyev (16)
- Game-Winning Goals: Eichel (5)
- Shots on Goal: Eichel (210)
- Penalty Minutes: Jeremy Lauzon (64)
Team Stats:
Blackhawks:
- Goals For/Game: 2.65 (27th)
- Goals Against/Game: 3.14 (21st)
- Power Play: 19.8% (21st)
- Penalty Kill: 85.6% (1st)
- Shots on Goal/Game: 24.4 (32nd)
- Shots Against/Game: 29.3 (23rd)
- Faceoff Win %: 46.6 (30th)
- Penalty Minutes/Game: 9:07 (21st)
Golden Knights:
- Goals For/Game: 3.26 (12th)
- Goals Against/Game: 3.08 (15th)
- Power Play: 25.1% (4th)
- Penalty Kill: 81.9% (7th)
- Shots on Goal/Game: 28.4 (13th)
- Shots Against/Game: 24.7 (3rd)
- Faceoff Win %: 51.1 (9th)
- Penalty Minutes/Game: 7:08 (1st)
Probable Lineups
Blackhawks:
- Forwards: Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky, Bertuzzi-Nazar-Teravainen, Mangiapane-Donato-Mikheyev, Lardis-Lafferty-Slaggert
- Defensemen: Vlasic-Crevier, Del Mastro-Rinzel, Grzelcyk-Levshunov
Golden Knights:
- Forwards: Barbashev-Eichel-Stone, Dorofeyev-Hertl-Marner, Howden-Sissons-Bowman, Smith-Dowd-Kolesar
- Defensemen: McNabb-Theodore, Hanifin-Andersson, Lauzon-Korczak
Goaltending Matchup
Spencer Knight (17-18-8, 2.61 GAA, .909 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Adin Hill (7-6-3, 3.24 GAA, .864 SV%, 0 SO)
Tonight’s clash promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams eager to assert their dominance. With the Blackhawks’ road resilience and the Golden Knights’ power-play prowess, fans are in for a treat.