The Chicago Blackhawks will face one of the NHL’s hottest teams, as Ottawa enters this matchup with a 5-4-1 record, sitting third in the Atlantic Division and riding a three-game winning streak.
The Senators are coming off a 7-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Monday night and have scored 16 goals in their last three games, even without captain Brady Tkachuk in the lineup.
Lineup Outlook
Chicago enters the contest 4-1-1 in its last six games, but overall play has been uneven. Head coach Jeff Blashill is expected to again use 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, as the team continues to manage injuries.
Both Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Mikheyev are questionable. Mikheyev has quietly become one of the team’s most important defensive forwards, logging 36:30 of shorthanded ice time—most among Blackhawks forwards—and holding an impressive 85.7 percent on-ice goals-for rate at even strength.
Losing him would be a major hit to Chicago’s penalty-killing unit and defensive structure.
Power Play Problems and Adjustments
The power play remains a serious concern, ranking 26th in the NHL at 15.6 percent.
The biggest issue has been zone entries—too often the Blackhawks fail to gain control and establish possession.
Blashill has responded by shaking up his units, promoting André Burakovsky to the first power-play unit and sliding Teuvo Teravainen down to PP2.
The goal is to add more puck control and poise at the blue line while improving setup efficiency.
Discipline and Possession
Discipline has also been costly. The Blackhawks have taken 43 minor penalties, the second-most in the league, resulting in a -9 net penalty differential.
Chicago has been outshot in six of nine games and posted a Corsi For percentage above 50 percent in only three.
The team has scored four or more goals just once this season—an 8-3 win in St. Louis. That lack of offensive explosion highlights their need for more consistent scoring support.
Goaltending Matchup
Spencer Knight is expected to start for Chicago. He owns a 3-2-1 record with a 1.97 GAA and .937 save percentage, keeping the team competitive despite inconsistent play in front of him.
For Ottawa, Linus Ullmark is projected to start. He enters with a 4-3-1 record, a 3.11 GAA, and an .870 save percentage, but he’s coming off one of his best performances of the season against Boston.
Keys to the Game
- Stay Out of the Box – Ottawa’s power play is red-hot, scoring seven times in its last nine opportunities and registering at least one goal in eight of their first ten games. Chicago must stay disciplined to avoid giving them free chances.
- Execute Zone Entries – Clean break-ins are the first step to reviving a stagnant power play.
- Support Spencer Knight – Goaltending has been strong, but Knight needs more goal support.
My Final Thought
The Blackhawks have shown flashes of progress during their recent stretch, but issues with discipline, possession, and special teams continue to hold them back.
Facing a confident Ottawa team riding a winning streak will be a strong test of their maturity and structure.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:45 PM CDT at the United Center.
KEEP READING:
Blackhawks Monday Recap: NHL Opening Week
Hawks Search For The Right Fit Beside Bedard
Chicago Blackhawks Weekly Recap: NHL Week 3
Looking for discussion? Check out our forums section and weigh in on what’s happening around the NHL!
Home › Forums › Blackhawks Seek Discipline vs Surging Senators