Blackhawks Game 68: Donato Gets Promotion, Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs Kraken

Chicago Blackhawks (20-38-9, 49 pts) vs Seattle Kraken (29-34-5, 63 pts)
7:30 pm – United Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Murray)/LMN 1200 AM (Eparza/Moreno)

The Chicago Blackhawks are back at the United Center as they host the Seattle Kraken on Pride Night. These two teams have split 3-1 wins on home ice as they head into the season series finale. The Blackhawks have struggled against the Kraken since they joined the league, with only four wins in their first 11 meetings.

Nine of the Blackhawks’ final 15 games will be on home ice, including seven of the next eight. Considering how bad they have been on the road this season, this will be a welcome finish to the regular season.

“It’s crazy how fast the season’s gone by,” defenseman Alex Vlasic said on Monday. “We’ve finished our last long road trip. So, we’ve got the opportunity to get the rest. There’s no excuses for us these next couple of games.”

Ryan Donato, who scored the first goal in Kraken history, will be on the top line against his former team. He had two assists against Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, and is just one point behind Teuvo Teravainen and Connor Bedard for the team lead in scoring. Interim head coach Anders Sorensen said he hope he brings “what Donato brings.” Bedard will still skate on the wing, with Frank Nazar down the middle.

The only other lineup changes tonight are Pat Maroon and Ethan Del Mastro drawing back in, with Joe Veleno and Louis Crevier coming out. Spencer Knight will start in goal. In two career starts against Seattle, he is 1-1-0 with a .936 save percentage (SV%) and 2.01 goals-against average (GAA).

Season Series

11/14 1-3 @ SEA
12/19 3-1 vs SEA
3/18 vs SEA

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Ryan Donato (23)
A-Teuvo Teravainen (37)
P-Teravainen/Connor Bedard (52)
PPG-Bertuzzi (8)
GWG-Bedard (5)
SOG-Bedard (159)
PIM-Pat Maroon (76)

Kraken Team Leaders

G-Eeli Tolvanen (21)
A-Chandler Stephenson (36)
P-Stephenson (47)
PPG-Shane Wright (7)
GWG-Jaden Schwartz (5)
SOG-Brandon Montour (195)
PIM-Michael Eyssimont (48)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.70 (25^th)
GA/G-3.51 (30^th)
PP%-24.4 (8^th)
PK%-81.1 (12^th)
SOG/G-24.4 (32^nd)
SA/G-31.5 (30^th)
FO%-44.9 (31^st)
PIM/G-8:54 (24^th)

Kraken Team Stats

GF/G-2.71 (27^th)
GA/G-3.03 (19^th)
PP%-22.5 (16^th)
PK%-82.1 (7^th)
SOG/G-27.1 (25^th)
SA/G-28.5 (17^th)
FO%-49.7 (17^th)
PIM/G-6:26 (3^rd)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Ryan Donato-Connor Bedard-Frank Nazar
Teuvo Teravainen-Jason Dickinson-Ilya Mikheyev
Landon Slaggert-Nick Foligno-Colton Dach
Pat Maroon-Lukas Reichel-Tyler Bertuzzi

Defensemen
Alex Vlasic-Artyom Levshunov
Ethan Del Mastro-Connor Murphy
Wyatt Kaiser-Alec Martinez

Scratched
D-T.J. Brodie, F-Philipp Kurashev, D-Louis Crevier, F-Joe Veleno

Injured
G-Laurent Brossoit (knee)

Kraken Probable Lines

Forwards
Jaden Schwartz-Matty Beniers-Kaapo Kakko
Eeli Tolvanen-Chandler Stephenson-Jordan Eberle
Jani Nyman-Jared McCann-Andre Burakovsky
Tye Kartye-Shane Wright-Michael Eyssimont

Defensemen
Vince Dunn- Adam Larsson
Jamie Oleksiak-Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura-Ryker Evans

Scratched
F-John Hayden, D-Cale Fleury

Injured
None

Goaltending Matchup

Spencer Knight (14-10-1, .911 SV%, 2.38 GAA, 2 SO) vs Joey Daccord (22-18-4, .909 SV%, 2.68 GAA, 1 SO)