The Chicago Blackhawks face a week filled with both challenges and excitement as they navigate a demanding schedule. The team will be buoyed by the return of Connor Bedard, but must also contend with the absence of Teuvo Teravainen due to injury.
Bedard's Return
Connor Bedard is back in the lineup after recovering from an illness that sidelined him for Monday's game against the Edmonton Oilers. Bedard, who leads the Blackhawks with 47 points in 35 games, practiced on Wednesday and played Thursday against the Calgary Flames. His return is a significant boost for the Blackhawks, who struggled offensively in his absence. "It's what's been going around a little bit," Bedard said of the illness. "I tried to get myself up and go. I was trying to get to the game, but it didn't work out, unfortunately. It [stinks] to miss, obviously, but it is what it is".
Teräväinen's Injury
Adding to the Blackhawks' challenges, Teuvo Teräväinen is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury. Teräväinen sustained the injury during Monday's game against the Oilers and has already missed multiple games. Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill has not provided a clear timeline for Teräväinen's return, listing him as day-to-day. Teräväinen will miss his third straight game when the Blackhawks host the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. There is currently no set timeline for his return. The 31-year-old, who will represent Team Finland at the Olympics, has recorded 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 45 games this season.
Nazar Update
Forward Frank Nazar practiced on Sunday for the first time since taking a puck to the face in the first period of a 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 20. However, he is not expected to return Monday. Blashill said the team wants Nazar to get at least one more practice in “and see where we go from there".
This Week's Schedule
The Blackhawks' schedule this week includes:
- January 19: vs Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 PM ET
- January 22: @ Carolina Hurricanes, 6:00 PM ET
- January 23: vs Tampa Bay Lightning, 6:00 PM ET
- January 25: vs Florida Panthers, 6:00 PM ET
- January 27: @ Minnesota Wild, 5:00 PM ET
- January 29: @ Pittsburgh Penguins, 4:00 PM ET
- January 30: vs Columbus Blue Jackets, 5:30 PM ET
With a mix of home and road games, the Blackhawks will face tough competition as they look to climb the standings.
Additional Notes
- Sam Lafferty recently missed practice due to an illness that has been circulating in the locker room.
- The Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup six times, in 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013 and 2015.
- Spencer Knight has a 13-13-6 record with a 2.61 GAA and a .910 SV%.
