PREVIEW: Kubalik, Red Wings face Blackhawks Friday at United Center

CHICAGO -- Detroit Red Wings forward Dominik Kubalik didn't have to wait long to play his first regular season game at the United Center against his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Kubalik, who played the last three seasons with the Blackhawks (1-2-0; 2 points) before signing a two-year deal with the Red Wings (2-0-1; 5 points) on July 13, said he's eager for Friday's 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT) puck drop, which will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit Extra and the Red Wings Radio Network (97.1 The Ticket in Detroit).

"I'm excited," Kubalik said. "I'm kind of happy I already went through it in the preseason. After three years, it will be nice to play against them. Hopefully, it will be a good game for us."
In 2019-20, his first season with Chicago and first in North America, Kubalik led all NHL rookies with 30 goals, totaling 46 points (30-16-46) en route to being named a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist and to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
According to Kubalik, he learned a lot from his former Blackhawks teammates.
"For me, personally, it was (Jonathan) Toews," Kubalik said. "I played a lot of games with him, especially in the first season. He made it a lot easier for me during games.
"Even (Patrick) Kane on the power play. For a guy who came from Switzerland, who was just happy to be in the locker room with them, it was nice to watch them every day and get to know them."
The Red Wings are coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Little Caesars Arena on Monday night. David Perron had two goals and an assist for Detroit, and Filip Hronek was credited with an assist on Perron's power-play goal, giving him 99 career NHL assists.

Chicago enters its home opener coming off a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks last Saturday. Sam Lafferty scored two short-handed goals while the Blackhawks' penalty kill finished a perfect 3-for-3, helping Luke Richardson earn his first victory as an NHL head coach.
Friday marks the first of three matchups of the season between Detroit and rival Chicago.

Vrana placed in NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program

On Wednesday, the league announced that Jakub Vrana entered the NHL/NHL Players' Association Player Assistance Program.
Vrana, who will be unavailable for an indefinite period while he receives care from the joint program, can return to the Red Wings when he is cleared for on-ice competition by program administrators.