Chicago Blackhawks Secure Victory
On Wednesday evening, the Chicago Blackhawks managed to secure a victory in a game that didn’t showcase their best performance. Despite being outplayed for the majority of the match, they rallied thanks to Tyler Bertuzzi, whose hat trick turned the tide, alongside solid contributions from goaltender Spencer Knight, helping clinch the win.
Upcoming Matchup Against Calgary Flames
With a matchup against the struggling Calgary Flames on the horizon, the Blackhawks are looking to capitalize after completing a six-game road trip where they collected three points out of eight possible. With a current record of 6-5-3, Chicago remains competitive, being one of only six teams in the Western Conference to maintain a positive goal differential, hinting at a promising start to the season.
Calgary Flames’ Struggles
The Flames, in stark contrast, find themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings. Following a surprisingly successful previous season, they are currently at 4-9-2 with just 10 points, the lowest points percentage in the league, hovering below .400 as they prepare for Friday’s game.
Key players for Calgary include Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund, who contribute well down the center. However, the team’s lack of depth across other positions has contributed to their unfortunate standings. The Flames’ struggles have also been compounded by disappointing performances from their former Calder Trophy contender, Dustin Wolf, who isn’t delivering consistent results this season. Kevin Bahl, who was given a maintenance day during practice, is expected to play, while Yan Kuznetsov temporarily filled his role in the second defensive pairing.
Blackhawks’ Strategy and Player Updates
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are likely to maintain their strategy of deploying 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, a tactic they have utilized consistently except for two games this season. This lineup includes Connor Bedard, who has been exceptional with a streak of multi-point performances, and Tyler Bertuzzi, who is fresh off his hat-trick achievement against the Canucks. Sam Lafferty may find himself as a healthy scratch once again, facing tougher competition for playing time.
In goal, Spencer Knight appears set to start following a strong showing in the morning practice, keeping his hope alive for a potential Olympic selection with Team USA if he continues his stellar performance.
Game Broadcast Information
For fans eager to catch the action, the game will be broadcast on CHSN in the Chicago area and AM 720 WGN on the radio. Nationally, viewers can watch via ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sportsnet West in Canada, with puck drop scheduled shortly after 8 PM CT.
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