Blackhawks (9-18-1) at Kraken (9-14-7) | 7 p.m.

One: Opting to Get in Extra Work – and Chemistry

Wednesday‘s Kraken practice was optional, but 11 players chose to jump onto the ice, including the top-six line of Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle, and Tye Kartye. The drills were lively with cheers for goals, a few bear hugs (Eeli Tolvanen wrapping up Beniers, for one), and Chris Driedger making a number of strong saves in goal to stay sharp. That the veteran Eberle joined his considerably younger linemates is telling in a good way. Everyone is looking to turn Tuesday’s victory into a string of W’s.

To that end, winning goalie Joey Daccord called out the work of the Kraken penalty killers, who didn’t allow shots on goal in two kills. Dave Hakstol piped in with praise for the fourth line of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare centering Kailer Yamamoto and Devin Shore, who most decidedly dialed up depth scoring with goals from Bellemare and Kailer Yamamoto (the latter scoring a Kraken goal to open a game’s scoring for the first time since Thanksgiving eve). Probably not a coincidence the trio was part of Wednesday’s optional ice time.

“Those guys were going good,” said Hakstol. “The way the matchups landed and ended up [Tuesday], they didn't have a ton of minutes, but every time over the boards, they were going good. We've seen a little bit of chemistry grow with that line. And that's not just a one-night thing ... it's a little bit hard to see sometimes through the fog of a loss, but that line has grown in their chemistry because we've been able to keep them together and obviously [Tuesday], they played a huge role in this hockey game.”

Two: Ryker Strikes and Impresses

When called up before the current homestand started, Dave Hakstol said 2021 second-round draft pick Ryker Evans would definitely play but made no promises about game one of six straight home contests beginning last Thursday against New Jersey. But Evans did get a start and more than held his own with his defensive work. By Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay, the now 22-year-old (Wednesday was his birthday) started flashing his high-end offensive skill set and then there was his first-ever NHL point with a highlight-reel primary assist, carrying the puck behind the goal line before sending it to the aforementioned Bellemare net-front. Bellemare joked that Evans thanked him for scoring when “I was basically shooting into an empty net.”

Dave Hakstol has consistently praised Evans’ work on the ice in the past two training camps, especially this fall. The Hakstol positivity continued when the coach was quizzed about Evans after Tuesday’s streak-busting win: “You saw a little bit of his skating ability on Belly’s goal,” said Hakstol. “That's not an easy play. You know, he takes that puck backs it down the wall, he finds space, and makes a play out front. We continue to like the poise that he plays with.”

Three: Know the Foe: Chicago 4-11 on Road

The Kraken will no doubt be aiming to decisively win this rematch after losing in Chicago , 4-3, in late November. 2023 first overall NHL draft pick Connor Bedard has 12 goals and 12 assists in 28 games (including this highlight shot and score in Edmonton Tuesday). Bedard, by the way, will be facing former teammate and scoring partner Ryker Evans. They put together big numbers together for the Western Hockey League Regina Pats.

Chicago’s star defenseman Seth Jones did not make the trip due to an upper-body issue and the former WHL Seattle Thunderbirds star has been playing top-four minutes on defense but was not with the team in Edmonton Tuesday due to a family matter, per the Blackhawks. Former Kraken forward Ryan Donato has four goals and six assists in 26 games with Chicago, playing up and down the lineup as needed. Donato assisted on Bedard’s first NHL goal.