The Chicago Blackhawks play their second of six preseason games on Saturday night at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis against the Blues. While notables like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Sam Rinzel, and Artyom Levshunov have the night off after playing in the preseason opener, the Blackhawks are icing yet another young lineup in enemy territory.
Youngsters like Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene, Colton Dach, Lukas Reichel, Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro, and Louis Crevier all played against Detroit on Tuesday and are back in the lineup again. Nick Lardis, Gavin Hayes, Martin Misiak, and Nolan Allan are set to make their preseason debuts.
Here’s everything to note before the puck drops tonight in St. Louis at 6 p.m. CT.
Blackhawks Preseason Notes
The Blackhawks opened the preseason with a lackluster 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, September 23rd, at Little Caesars Arena. Connor Bedard and Wyatt Kaiser were the goal scorers for Chicago.
Chicago is on the road for its first three preseason games, including another contest on Sunday, September 28th, in Minnesota against the Wild.
The first preseason action at the United Center is on Tuesday, September 30th, against the Red Wings.
The Blackhawks’ final preseason game is scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, also against the Blues.
2024-25 Results vs. Blues
09/28/24 3-2 OTL, Enterprise Center (Preseason)
10/05/24 6-2 W, Fiserv Forum (Preseason)
12/31/24 6-2 L, Wrigley Field
02/08/25 6-5 SOL, Enterprise Center
03/22/25 4-1 L, Enterprise Center
Projected Blackhawks Lineup
The Blackhawks are giving mostly young players the opportunity on Saturday, but Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, Ilya Mikheyev, Sam Lafferty, Dominic Toninato, and Matt Grzelcyk are a few veterans who will be in the lineup as well. Both Lafferty and Toninato appeared in the preseason opener.
Considering Levshunov and Del Mastro’s struggles against the Red Wings, Saturday is a crucial chance for Grzelcyk to prove his case for an NHL roster spot in his preseason debut. Currently on a PTO, Blashill stated last weekend that Grzelcyk could receive a contract from the Blackhawks if the young defensemen fail to cement themselves with the big-league club. Grzelcyk’s performance in the preseason will carry plenty of weight, too.
Spencer Knight is expected to get the start in net, with Stanislav Berezhnoy serving as his backup.
FORWARD LINES
Colton Dach-Ryan Greene-Oliver Moore
Nick Lardis-Jackson Cates-Lukas Reichel
Ilya Mikheyev-Jason Dickinson-Sam Lafferty
Dominic Toninato-Martin Misiak-Gavin Hayes
DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS
Kevin Korchinski-Nolan Allan
Matt Grzelyck-Louis Crevier
Ethan Del Mastro-Connor Murphy
Ashton Cumby
GOALTENDERS
Spencer Knight
Stanislav Berezhnoy
The Blackhawks have clearly separated into their NHL and AHL groups at training camp in recent days, and players like Dach, Moore, Greene, Korchinski, Del Mastro, and Allan appear to be fighting for the final roster spots. Saturday is a massive moment for each of them to make a statement.
PROJECTED BLUES LINEUP
The Blues are expected to play a group filled with NHLers tonight, including Pavel Buchnevich, Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Jimmy Snuggerud, Cam Fowler, Colton Parayko, and Jordan Binnington. Top prospects Dalibor Dvorsky, Justin Carbonneau, and Adam Jiricek are also likely to be in the lineup.
It’s not going to be an easy game for the Blackhawks’ youth-filled lineup.
How To Watch & Game Info
Chicago Blackhawks (0-1-0 Preseason) @ St. Louis Blues (0-1-1 Preseason)
6 p.m. CT — Enterprise Center
TV: CHSN+, CHSN App, Blues App, ESPN+ (outside Blackhawks & Blues broadcast areas)
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