Luke Richardson removes three Blackhawks from the lineup before matchup vs Winnipeg Jets Friday

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Joshua Deeds
October 11, 2024 (2:37 PM)

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Head Coach Luke Richardson is still trying to find the optimal lineup for the Blackhawks.

At the Delta Center, the Utah HC hung a 6-2 loss over the Blackhawks for the season opener.

Since then he has changed around the lineups on the power-play and will once again try to find the right players and chemistry on ice.

Andreas Athanasiou will slot in for Craig Smith, who was in the bottom six in the last game in Utah. Smith wouldn't register any shots on goal against Utah, and wouldn't register any hits either. But had two shots missed on the net.

Hopefully, Athanasiou can find his footing tonight against the Winnipeg Jets.

Luke Richardson has decided to go with Wyatt Kaiser tonight in place of rookie Nolan Allan. Kaiser played 32 games for the Blackhawks last season, scoring 7 points, while spending the majority of the season with the Rockford IceHogs, playing 37 games and scoring 18 points( 4 G, 14 A).

Nolan Allan put up bagels the entire night against the Utah Hockey Club, which may explain why he will be riding Pine tonight. Especially after such a preseason, where he seemed destined to continue his great play into the regular season.

Instead of starting the season in the AHL where he should have due to a goalie shortage, as Laurent Brossoit is currently out injured, Luke Richardson will rely upon Arvid Soderblom in the net tonight.

Soderblom has glaring weaknesses that will be easily exposed by the Winnipeg Jets which means he needs the Blackhawk's defense to show up big time if the Blackhawks are to have any chance to win.

The sophomore goalie played 32 games in the NHL last season, and posted a 5-22-2 record, with a 3.89 GAA, and a .880 percentage.