When the Blackhawks punted the player-who-shall-not-be-named and quickly moved to acquire Anthony Beauvillier from Vancouver, there were some questions if the smaller forward who was primarily playing a supporting role for the Canucks would fit. It was interesting that, in his first practice, Beauvillier was on the Blackhawks’ top line with Connor Bedard and Philipp Kurashev — and on the top power play. So I wanted to see how that line worked in game action after only one practice.
The early returns were pretty good. Sure, there were a few spots where there was some miscommunication and guys didn’t anticipate each other as well as they eventually will with more time together on the ice. But this trio combined for 7 of the Blackhawks’ 21 shots on net. According to , Bedard (21), Kurashev (20) and Beauvillier (17) were the top three forwards in even strength Blackhawks’ shot attempts yesterday.
As a reminder: unfortunately, Beauvillier is still working out his visa issues since the trade, so he won’t be with the team in Minnesota for Sunday afternoon’s start. But the early returns were positive.
The Blackhawks’ second line has been a production void recently. Yeah, Lukas Reichel scored against Detroit, but he was credited with only 15 shots on net in 12 games in November, producing a point in six of those 12 games. Tyler Johnson matched Reichel’s 15 shots on net in 12 games in November and had a point in five games. And Taylor Raddysh, who scored 20 goals last year, has one goal in his last 14 games. If that’s going to be the “second” line, those numbers need to improve. Or they might need to mix things up and find someone who can drive offense there because it isn’t working here.
Jarred Tinordi was back in the lineup yesterday and he was already looking for some accountability in the room after the loss. After complimenting Bedard’s performance, he noted that the phenom “brought it tonight and we had a few guys that could’ve brought a little bit more.” He ain’t wrong.
When the Blackhawks assigned Isaak Phillips and Wyatt Kaiser to the IceHogs before the game on Saturday it got my attention. Not because one of them went, but both. I advocated for Kaiser to get some run in Rockford earlier in the week so he can work on elements of his game that are struggling without the bright lights and loud noise of the NHL. It sounds like that rationale is in line with head coach Luke Richardson’s.
Let’s get into some prospect highlights, shall we? Michigan got their tails whipped by Notre Dame on the ice on Friday night, but they came back and split the weekend with a nice 2-1 win last night. Frank Nazar scored the first goal for Michigan.
In the same game, Landon Slaggert didn’t have a point but he made big hit to start Notre Dame’s only scoring play.
Gavin Hayes scored a go-ahead goal in the third period and then had the primary assist on the overtime game-winner for Flint. He now has 163 career points for Flint, moving past Amadeus Lombardi into second on the Firebirds’ all-time list last night.
Aidan Thompson scored Denver’s first goal, had the primary assist on the game-tying goal in the third period and won 9 of 15 faceoffs in an overtime win for DU over North Dakota.
Martin Misiak had one goal and two assists while winning 8 of 15 faceoffs in a 7-4 loss for Erie. He had hit a bit of an offensive slump so a big night was great to see.
Finally, the Bulls won a game last night. That makes it two straight victories for the other team at the United Center. Two exciting wins with big performances from young players who many have been begging to do more for a while is exactly what we love to see. And… yeah. About Zach LaVine…
