Players to Watch: CHI vs DAL (2/9/21)
(Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks are in Dallas for their second game against the Dallas Stars. They won Sunday afternoon’s game 2-1 in overtime. Malcolm Subban picked up his first win. Can they win 2 in a row?
The team looked good and played a mostly effective game. I wouldn’t advise them banking on Dallas only scoring 1 goal again, especially a flukey one. So, the offense needs to come out firing.
We don’t have a confirmed lineup yet due to an optional skate this morning. I would bet on Lankinen getting back in the crease, but it wouldn’t hurt to give Subban 2 in a row. It remains to be seen if Oettinger will be back in net for Dallas or if Khudobin will be back after his disciplinary scratch.
Pius Suter
After a strong start to the season, Pius Suter has bounced around the lineup. It’s not clear to any of us watching why he was so severely demoted, but it happens throughout the season. You can’t argue with the makeup of the top 2 lines currently. He’s been effective when he sees the ice, but he’s due for another big game. It would be great if that was tonight.
Nicolas Beaudin
Nicolas Beaudin has been the biggest surprise on the blue line for me this year. I didn’t know if he would be ready for the NHL after watching him in Rockford last season, but he sure looks determined to stay there. He plays smart and has good situational awareness at both ends of the ice. On Sunday, he had some nifty stick maneuvers to keep the puck in the offensive zone instead of making the team regroup in the neutral zone. If he keeps this up, he may get a shot on the first power play unit. Right now, he is on the second. I’m watching to see if he gets bumped up, or if that second unit gets more ice time.
Dominik Kubalik
The second power play unit runs on Dominik Kubalik. Every time they are out there, they tend to make good things happen. If they don’t score, they pick up momentum for the team. More often than not, lately, they have been hitting the scoresheet. That said, Colliton seems to be reluctant to play this unit - arguably the better of the two units. If they get a chance tonight, I think Kubalik works his magic.