The seats have been dusted off, the Logo has been painted, and the ice is ready to go! It’s opening night at the United Center. The red carpet will be rolled out once again, and the player will get to do their walk of fame. This is one of the best days of the year; fans better are prepared to cheer the roof off as the greatest anthem singer of all time Jim Cornelison, unleashes his pipes. The NHL couldn’t have given the Blackhawks a better open than the Detroit Red Wings. At one point, this was the best rivalry in the NHL and maybe even the best rivalry in all of sport, but then the NHL went and ruined it! Nashville and/or Dallas could have easily been moved over instead of Detroit (Nashville being the better option), but I digress; a topic for another article.
Reviewing last season’s matchups
The Blackhawks and Red Wings split the season series one to one last season, with both teams winning on the road. Detroit came into Chicago in the early part of last season and won six to three. Tyler Johnson would score his first goal as a Blackhawks, but that was about the only bright spot in the game, where Detroit jumped out to a four-to-one lead and didn’t look back. Lucas Raymond would have a four-point career game, including a Hat trick. Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi had three points.
The Blackhawks would return the favor and put up eight goals in the second and final matchup between the two teams. The Blackhawks would jump out to a four-to-nothing lead after one period. Dylan Strome (Washington) or Dominik Kubalik (Detroit) would score the first three goals for the Blackhawks… Alex DeBricat would add two goals as well… ( crickets noise). The Blackhawks would go on to win eight to four. Patrick Kane would finish with two assists, and Jonathan Toews would also add an assist.
Previewing Friday nights matchup
The Blackhawks are coming home after going two and one on their opening season road trip. The Blackhawks should have some momentum coming off a win over the San Jose Sharks. In contrast, Detroit is coming off a valiant effort that came up just short in overtime to the Los Angles Kings. The Wings are 2-0-1 on the season and have looked to take the next step in the rebuild. The Wings only gave up two goals before playing the Kings on Monday night, and you can expect them to hold the Blackhawks below three goals.
Chicago is expecting to get Jake McCabe back, and this should give them a little jolt on the back end. There is a chance he will miss the game still, but he is trending toward suiting up at the home opener. The Blackhawks subsequently sent down Alex Vlasic, who has the world’s worst-timed lower-body injury, which kept him out of the lineup.
You can expect Chicago’s goal-scoring woes to continue. Unless Detroit starts a train to the Penalty box, It will be challenging for the Blackhawks to score goals. With Mrazek getting the win versus the Sharks and having four days off in between games, you can expect to see Mrazek Start for the Blackhawks.
Players to watch
Patrick Kane
Like Richardson believes in the Kane-Domi- Athanasiou line and has chosen to keep them together. And Friday night is finally the night this line and Patrick Kane breakthrough. Kane is overdue for a goal, as he has ZERO on the season. And there is not a player who doesn’t love the spotlight more than Patrick Kane. Opening night in what could be Kane’s final in Chicago, you can expect him to bring his A-game. Plus, Kane loves to score on Detroit. Just ask Jimmy Howard.
Lucas Raymond
Raymond had five points in two games versus the Blackhawks last season, and you can look for this to continue. Raymond, much like Kane, has zero goals on the year, but this won’t be the case after the game on Friday. Raymond finished his rookie season with twenty-three goals, which wouldn’t be surprising if he surpassed thirty goals this year.
Final prediction
The Blackhawks will battle and give their best effort on opening night, but they will come up short. Patrick Kane and his line will get it going, but the offensives will otherwise continue for the Blackhawks.
Final score Prediction:
Chicago: 2
Detroit: 4
Season 2 Episode 10: Is Patrick Kane The Greatest Blackhawks Player Of All Time – Cue The Dagger
- Season 2 Episode 10: Is Patrick Kane The Greatest Blackhawks Player Of All Time
- Season 2 Episode 9: Peter Laviolette III
- Season 2 Episode 8: Hossa Night, Early NHL awards, NHL talk and more
- Season 2 Episode 7: Is Toews back? Should Matthews have to fight? and much more!
- Season 2 Episode 6: Three Blackhawks trades, Chicago's hot start, around the NHL and more
