Players to Watch: CHI vs FLA (3/23/21)

(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

The month of March hasn’t been kind to the Chicago Blackhawks. They’ve won 2 of 9 games. Tonight, they’re facing a team they haven’t won against in the Florida Panthers. It’ll be a big test. Blackhawks prospect, MacKenzie Entwistle, will be making his NHL debut. 

The Florida Panthers have been a huge problem for the Chicago Blackhawks this year. The Hawks are 0-3-1 against the team from Sunrise. It doesn’t seem like the Panthers have any intention of slowing down. 

The Panthers are coming into this game with a record of 20-7-4. The Blackhawks have a record of 14-13-5. It’s pretty hilarious considering the Panthers are the team right above the Blackhawks in the standings. 

Goal Differential Time!

In 31 games, the Florida Panthers have allowed 88 goals while scoring 105 for a DIFF of +17. 

In 32 games, the Chicago Blackhawks have allowed 106 goals while scoring 95 for a DIFF of -11. Ouch. 

Players to watch:

Kevin Lankinen

Kevin Lankinen is back in net for Chicago tonight. The goaltending has been extremely average in March. Lankinen has to be on his game tonight, or the Blackhawks will walk away with yet another loss to the Panthers. 

Connor Murphy

The Florida Panthers are great at parking guys in front of the net to take away the goaltender’s eyes. It’s been a huge trend every time the Hawks have faced them this year. Not only will Murphy have to be on his game as the most reliable defensive presence, but the Blackhawks absolutely need him to clear guys out of Lankinen’s way. We’ll see how it goes. 

MacKenzie Entwistle

MacKenzie Entwistle has to be on this list because he’s making his NHL debut tonight! He’s played 12 games for the Rockford IceHogs this year registering 5 points with 2 goals and 3 assists. He had a slow start to the year, but he’s been more noticeable lately. It’ll be interesting to see how he looks with the big club.