It’s the final day of action before the NHL takes a three-day break for Christmas, with 26 of the 32 teams in the league playing on Tuesday night. The Chicago Blackhawks look to snap a five-game losing streak and head into the break on a positive note with a win against the Philadelphia Flyers. They could certainly use that, given that the latest injuries to Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar have dampened the Holiday spirit around the team.
On the bright side, the Blackhawks could be getting a key veteran leader back against the Flyers. Be on the lookout for CHN’s Game Day Preview after the morning skate, breaking down the projected lineups and starting goaltenders for both teams.
Also in Blackhawks news, top prospect Roman Kantserov continues to light up the Kontinental Hockey League over in Russia.
Around the league, Mason Marchment is already thriving with his new team, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a change behind the bench, and the latest on Will Smith’s injury for San Jose.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: The last two weekends have been devastating for the Chicago Blackhawks on the injury front. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar will both be out for extended periods, leaving the team without its top two centers. However, captain Nick Foligno could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Flyers, and the Blackhawks need all the help they can get offensively right now.
More CHN: ICYMI, Nazar was hit in the face with a puck during the first period in Saturday’s 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Things have quickly gone from bad to worse for the Blackhawks.
Over in Russia, 2023 second-round pick Roman Kantserov scored his KHL-leading 24th goal of the season in a 4-3 win for Metallurg Magnitogorsk on Monday. Kantserov, still only 21 years old, has six more tallies than Sam Anas, who’s second in the league in goals. Kantserov is also second in the league with 41 points in 36 games.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Toronto Hockey Now: There have been a lot of factors behind the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ dreadful season thus far. One of the most putrid facets of the team has been its NHL-worst power play. And with that, the Leafs have made their first major move to try to change their fortunes by firing assistant coach Marc Savard.
NHL.com: It was Marchment Mania in Los Angeles on Monday. Mason Marchment, who was acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the Holiday Freeze last week, scored twice in a 3-1 win over the Kings. Marchment now has three goals in his first two games with Columbus.
TSN: According to Pierre LeBrun, a few teams have checked in with retired goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to see if he has any interest in returning to the NHL this season. Could “Flower” make a surprise return to the league?
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Defensemen Matt Dumba and Connor Clifton are reportedly available, while Bryan Rust was listed on a recent trade board. Dan Kingerski from PHN dissected the latest Pittsburgh Penguins trade rumors.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Now that the dust has settled on the New Jersey Devils’ failure to reel in Quinn Hughes, is the dream to unite all three brothers in the Garden State dead? James Nichols weighs in for NJHN.
San Jose Hockey Now: San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky announced that forward Will Smith is out for the rest of December and will be re-evaluated after the New Year. Smith has been out since Dec. 13 with an upper-body injury.
Philly Hockey Now: Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has had it with the Flyers media and questions about Matvei Michkov. Tocchet is clearly growing frustrated with the number of questions surrounding the 21-year-old star. Especially when other players are having a great season.
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