Projected starters

Chicago — Corey Crawford (2018–19 statistics: 14–18–5, .908 save percentage, 2.93 goals against average)

Philadelphia — Carter Hart (2018–19 statistics: 16–13–1, .917 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average)

Team statistics (2018–19 season)

Power play
Chicago (20.2%, 15th)
Philadelphia (17.1%, 23rd)

Penalty kill
Chicago (72.73%)
Philadelphia (78.48%)

Shorts for/against
Chicago (32.5 12th; 34.8, 30th)
Philadelphia (31.5, 17th; 32.5, 10th)

Shooting percentage
Chicago (10.1%)
Philadelphia (9.3%)

Face off percentage
Chicago (49.4%, T-20th)
Philadelphia (54.7%, first)

Blackhawks projected lineup

Alexander Nylander — Jonathan Toews — Patrick Kane

Alex DeBrincat — Dylan Strome — Andrew Shaw

Brandon Saad — David Kampf — Dominik Kubalik

Zack Smith — Ryan Carpenter — Drake Caggiula

Duncan Keith — Erik Gustafsson

Olli Maatta — Brent Seabrook

Slater Koekkoek — Dennis Gilbert

Corey Crawford

Flyers projected lineup

Claude Giroux — Kevin Hayes — Jakub Voracek 

Oskar Lindblom — Sean Couturier — Travis Konecny

James van Riemsdyk — Scott Laughton — Carsen Twarynski

Michael Raffl — Connor Bunnaman — Samuel Morin

Ivan Provorov — Justin Braun

Travis Sanheim — Matt Niskanen

Robert Hagg — Shayne Gostisbehere

Carter Hart

Analysis

The Chicago Blackhawks are kicking off their 2019 season in Prague against Philadelphia Flyers. If the Blackhawks are going to fulfill the promise this offseason brought, the team needs a strong showing in their season opener.

Stan Bowman had a good offseason addressing holes on the back end with additions of Calvin de Haan and Olli Maatta. Bowman also had a Vezina finalist in Robin Lehner fall into his lap. With all the new pieces in place, it is time for Blackhawks to show the NHL the moves improved the team’s defense. Bowman also took a chance in trading away from his defensive prospect pool to acquire Alex Nylander.
The Blackhawks will start Corey Crawford in net with Lehner backing up in Prague. This could be the last time Crawford starts a season in net for the Blackhawks. With Crawford playing out the last year of his contract and his recent injury history, it makes sense that the Blackhawks may move on in net after this season. The Blackhawks’ long-term answer in the crease could be their backup for today’s game in Lehner.

It is time to see what head coach Jeremy Colliton’s system looks like for a full season. A win today for the Blackhawks puts them on the right track in a season full of hype and promise.

The post Preview/Game thread: Blackhawks vs. Flyers in Prague appeared first on The Rink.

Forwards
Drake Caggiula
Ryan Carpenter
Alex DeBrincat
David Kampf
Patrick Kane
Dominik Kubalik
Alex Nylander
Brendan Perlini
Brandon Saad
Andrew Shaw
Zack Smith
Dylan Strome
Jonathan Toews

Defensemen
Calvin de Haan
Erik Gustafsson
Duncan Keith
Slater Koekkoek
Olli Maatta
Brent Seabrook

Goalies
Corey Crawford
Robin Lehner

Connor Murphy and John Quenneville start the season on the injured list, while 18-year-old Kirby Dach remains with the team for the time being via a non-roster injury designation.

Well, there you have it. No huge surprises, albeit some small ones. Get the complete salary cap breakdown courtesy of puckpedia.com.

Nylander is being given every chance to establish himself in the NHL, in spite of somewhat mixed performances through training camp. And de Haan, who is key to the Hawks’ hopes of restoring their defense this season, is clearly ready to go after a long recovery from an injury sustained last season with Carolina.

The Hawks may have to improvise a bit on the right side of their defense with just one right-handed shot (Seabrook) presently on the active roster (with Murphy absent).

All for now. Please comment below.

The post BREAKING: Blackhawks finalize roster appeared first on The Rink.

As mentioned on HockeyCentral tonight…Philadelphia will play Chicago, in Prague to start the 2019-2020 season.

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) March 8, 2019

This will be the third year of the NHL Global Series and the first time the Blackhawks have been involved. They have participated in some international play, though, as they opened up their Stanley Cup winning 2009-10 season in Finland against the Florida Panthers.

The Blackhawks have ties to the Czech Republic with current players David Kampf and rookie Dominik Kahun, as well as recent former players Michal Rozsival, Michal Kempny, Jan Rutta, Michael Frolik, Martin Havlat and future Hall-Of-Famer Dominik Hasek.

Philadelphia’s ties to the Czech Republic are Jakub Voracek, Radko Gudas, Michal Neuvirth and as well as former Flyer Jaromir Jagr for the 2011-12 season.

The post REPORT: Blackhawks to Open Next Season in Prague appeared first on The Rink.