NHL Game Preview: San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks with Line Combinations 10/17/2024

Connor Bedard skating for the Chicago Blackhawks
Photo: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

San Jose Sharks (0-1-2, 2 pts) at Chicago Blackhawks (1-2-1, 3 pts)

Venue: United Center

Date: Thursday, October 17

Time: 7:30 pm CT / 5:30 pm PT 

TV: ESPN+ / NBCS / CHSN

Radio: 

San Jose – Sharks Audio Network

Chicago – WGN Radio 720 AM

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:

San Jose +1.5

Chicago -1.5

O/U 6

Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster

San Jose Sharks Notes:

San Jose is still searching for their first win of the season after falling 3-2 in a shootout to the undefeated Dallas Stars. San Jose rookie Macklin Celebrini will miss the game against the Blackhawks and fellow number 1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard, but there is optimism that Celebrini could be available this weekend.

Chicago Blackhawks Notes:

The Blackhawks concluded their season-opening 4-game road trip with a 3-1 loss Tuesday night in Calgary. Chicago had chances to break the 1-1 tie but Dustin Wolf was up to the challenge in the Calgary net. Chicago finished the road trip 1-2-1 and will finally return to Chicago for their home opener. The Blackhawks are 2-3 in their last 5 home openers with both wins against the Detroit Red Wings. The most recent win was a 4-3 OT win in the 2022-23 season. 

San Jose Sharks Projected Lineup: (subject to change)

Eklund-Granlund-Toffoli

Kostin-Wennberg-Zetterlund

Goodrow-W. Smith-Kunin

Grundstrom-Sturm-Dellandrea

Walman-Ceci

Ferraro-Rutta

Thrun-Benning

Blackwood

Vanecek

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Chicago Blackhawks Projected Lineup: (subject to change)

Foligno-Bedard-Teravainen

Hall-Kurashev-Bertuzzi

Mikheyev-Dickinson-Anderson

Maroon-Athanasiou-Smith

Martinez-Jones

Vlasic-Brodie

Allan-Murphy

Soderblom

Mrazek

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Players To Watch:

San Jose – Sharks center Will Smith has been “frustrated” in the early going of his rookie season in the NHL. The former Boston College center is without a point in three games so far for San Jose. Smith knows he needs to be better in all areas, “I think he’s overthinking his game at times, and he’s just got to go out and play. He’s obviously super-skilled,” said coach Ryan Warsofsky. 

Chicago – Aside from the top line of Nick Foligno, Connor Bedard, and Teuvo Teravainen, the Blackhawks haven’t gotten much production from their forward group. The Blackhawks need Taylor Hall and new addition Tyler Bertuzzi to step up and help carry some of the offensive load. 

Injury Report:

San Jose –

C Logan Couture – LTIR – Month To Month

RW Givani Smith – Day to Day – Est. return October 17

C Thomas Bordeleau – IR – Est. return October 22

C Macklin Celebrini – IR – Est. return October 20

LW William Eklund- Game-Time Decision

Chicago – 

D Wyatt Kaiser – IR – Est. return October 17

D Artyom Levshunov – IR (Non-Roster) – Est. return October 22 

G Laurent Brossoit – IR (Non-Roster) – Est. return October 22

Next game

San Jose – October 18 at Winnipeg

Chicago – October 19 vs. Buffalo


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