PREVIEW: Blackhawks Face First Test Against Canucks

TIME: 7:15 p.m.
TV: CHSN | RADIO: WGN-720-AM / Latino Media Network 1200 WRTO-AM

The Blackhawks take on the Canucks for the first of three matchups this season and the only one at the United Center during the 2024-25 season. Fans can catch the action on CHSN or listen live on WGN Radio and in Spanish on Latino Media Network radio, 1200 WRTO-AM. More information on how to watch Blackawks games can be found at Blackhawks.com/HowtoWatch.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

A former Canuck, Ilya Mikheyev posted 59 points (24G, 35A) in 124 regular-season games with Vancouver from 2022-24. Connor Bedard notched two assists in his lone game against the Canucks last season. Tyler Bertuzzi has assists in six of his last seven games against the Canucks (7A). During their last meeting on Feb. 13, four different Blackhawks tallied an assist during a 4-2 loss to the Canucks at the United Center.

LAST TIME OUT

Despite outshooting the Sabres 37-22 in the game, Chicago dropped a 4-2 decision to Buffalo on Saturday evening at the United Center. Craig Smith scored twice, his first points as a Blackhawk. Lukas Reichel posted two assists. Seth Jones and Connor Murphy each recorded an assist. Alex Vlasic led all game skaters with five blocked shots and now leads all team skaters with 18 blocked shots in six games this season. Blackhawk penalty-killers went a perfect 4-for-4 against the Sabres.

SETHOSCOPE

Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones tallied an assist on Saturday and now shares fifth among all league blueliners with six points (1G, 5A) in six games this season. His five helpers also share sixth among all NHL defensemen. Jones is currently one assist shy of 100 for his Blackhawks career, and would become the fifth-fastest defenseman in franchise history to record 100 assists with Chicago, joining Chris Chelios (160 GP), Pat Stapleton (194 GP), Dick Redmond (200 GP) and Brian Campbell (221 GP).

LUKAS SKYWALKER

Against Buffalo, forward Lukas Reichel notched two assists, including his first point of the season. He now has four points (1G, 3A) over his last five games dating back to the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He now has three assists in three career games against the Sabres. He also ranked third among all team skaters with four shots on goal against Buffalo.

CRAIGSLIST

Blackhawks forward Craig Smith buried two goals against Buffalo on Saturday, his first points with the club. It was Smith’s first multi-goal outing since March 4, 2023 as a member of the Washington Capitals (2G). With the goals, Smith now has 24 points (15G, 9A) in 34 games against the Sabres, including three points (2G, 1A) over his last three games.