Players to Watch: CHI vs CAR (2/2/21)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
After splitting the series 1-1 with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Chicago Blackhawks are now set to take on a new opponent - the Carolina Hurricanes. Tuesday night’s matchup at the United Center should be an interesting one to watch.
A Tale of Two Teams
The Carolina Hurricanes are coming into Tuesday’s game on a 4-game win streak. They’re 5-1 on the season - having played only 6 games due to COVID postponements. The Blackhawks haven’t been able to string 2 wins together aside from the Detroit series, and the Wings remain last in the Central Division.
Of course, just looking at the record doesn’t tell the full story. Especially from January which saw the Blackhawks have a horrendous start and the Hurricanes play 4 fewer games.
Let’s hop on over to Goal Differential. Come on, you knew that was next!
In 6 games played, the Carolina Hurricanes have scored 18 goals and allowed 10 for a DIFF of +8. In 10 games played, the Blackhawks have scored 26 goals and allowed 31 for a DIFF of -5. The completely unbiased part of me must remind you of the awful 20 goals allowed in 4 games to start the season for Chicago. Had we seen the recent goaltending from the start, maybe these numbers would be a bit different. But, those goals weren’t all on the guys in the blue paint. The defense had a lot to do with them. They can’t be discounted, but going over the DIFF is a very frustrating reminder of those 4 starts.
Something to keep in mind here - The Hurricanes are without starting goaltender Petr Mrazek due to an injury against the Dallas Stars. So, the Blackhawks will be getting the backup treatment. I wish I could say this was reassuring and providing hope for a 2-game sweep. But it’s not.
Here’s why:
Petr Mrazek: 4GP 2-1-0 0.99 GAA .955sv%
James Reimer: 3GP 3-0-0 1.99 GAA .918sv%
While Reimer’s numbers may be slightly worse than Mrazek, they’re still starting goaltender numbers. And he’s undefeated. Ugh.
Here’s another fun tidbit for you. The Blackhawks power play is ranked 5th in the league at 33.3%. The Carolina Hurricanes penalty kill is ranked 2nd at 91.3%. COOL.
Enough numbers. Here are the players to watch
Reese Johnson
Reese Johnson made his NHL debut on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and didn’t look even a little out of place. The kid had his feet moving, he was winning battles, and he was hard on the puck. I don’t see him coming out of the lineup immediately after a great impression. Jeremy Colliton seemed to like his first game. I’m looking forward to seeing his second.
Nikita Zadorov
I loved the addition of Nikita Zadorov after what I saw in the first couple of games (yes, the horrible losses - but there were some positives!). In his last few outings, his play has been less than ideal. He’s getting stripped, losing the puck in his feet, and finding himself in weird positions on the ice. He seemed to think his game on Sunday was alright going off of post game comments, but I beg to differ. I’m hoping he has a better game tonight.
Philip Kurashev
There was a brand new first line on Sunday consisting of Mattias Janmark, Philip Kurashev, and Patrick Kane. That line got on the scoresheet twice and looked good doing it. In his short career with the Blackhawks so far, Kurashev is making a name for himself and cementing his spot on this team. He won’t be a 1C forever - especially when Dach returns and when/if(ugh) Toews comes back. He sure is proving he can play up and down the lineup, though, and the offense doesn’t take a hit when he does. If that line is reunited against Carolina, it could lead to some point streaks for more than one of them.
Win? Lose? How are you feeling about tonight? I like the progress this team made in the first month. They looked completely lost at first and are beginning to look like a competent team. Only time will tell how they end up. But, in a developmental year, we are seeing positive things.