Ducks Face Blackhawks in Key NHL Showdown Tonight

CHICAGO, IL — The Anaheim Ducks will take on the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center this evening, showcasing two teams looking to gain an edge early in the NHL season. The puck drops at 6 p.m. CT.

Both teams enter the game with a record of 2-2. The Ducks lost their last game 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, with Leo Carlsson scoring the lone goal for Anaheim. Coach Joel Quenneville hopes to leverage the skills of his younger players, including Carlsson and Mason McTavish, against a formidable Blackhawks lineup.

The Ducks’ projected lineup features Chris Kreider, Leo Carlsson, and Alex Killorn on the top line, aiming to create offensive opportunities. Ducks’ goaltender Lukas Dostal will face Spencer Knight in goal for Chicago, who has been impressive with a 2.22 goals-against average this season.

Chicago, on the other hand, is coming off a disappointing 3-2 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Tyler Bertuzzi and Ryan Donato scored for the Blackhawks, but they couldn’t seal the deal in the shootout. Head coach Jeff Blashill’s squad is looking to bounce back, led by stars like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, who both have two goals and four assists this season.

Injury reports show that Ducks’ forward Jansen Harkins and Ryan Strome will be sidelined, while Blackhawks’ Jason Dickinson is also out due to injury. It’s expected that Landon Slaggert, who missed previous games due to injury, will make his season debut.

This match is critical for both teams, not just for momentum but also as they each navigate early season challenges in their quest for playoff contention. Fans can catch the action on CHSN.