[CoachFrenchy]

I apologize — no Game Threads tonight. I wasn’t able to sign in earlier, and it seems the system is finally back up but still running slowly.

I’ll be honest, it’s been a frustrating night. I spent a lot of time writing a full article after the first 10 games, but HHS hasn’t published it yet — completely out of my control.

And to top it off, a rough game for the Blackhawks tonight. Sorry again, everyone, and thanks for your patience.

Frenchy

[CoachFrenchy]

Thanks for your comment — and you’re absolutely right about their penalty kill. It’s been one of the biggest strengths of the team so far. A solid PK gives them confidence and keeps them competitive, even when the power play isn’t clicking.

I also liked Rinzel’s response after that high hit. It sends a clear message: if you’re going to take liberties, the Hawks will push back. Sure, it might cost them a minor penalty once in a while, but when your PK is this good, it’s worth standing your ground. Plays like that build character and team identity.

[CoachFrenchy]

Just a quick reminder:

Development isn’t a one way street.

Organizations need to put players in positions to succeed, but players also need to take hold of the opportunity when it comes.

[CoachFrenchy]

Roman with his 13th goal of the season in 20 games

Roman K.

[CoachFrenchy]

Chicago Blackhawks

Ilya Mikheyev — Connor Bedard — André Burakovsky
Teuvo Teräväinen — Frank Nazar — Ryan Donato
Colton Dach — Ryan Greene — Jason Dickinson
Nick Foligno — Landon Slaggert

Alex Vlasic — Sam Rinzel
Wyatt Kaiser — Artyom Levshunov
Matt Grzelcyk — Connor Murphy
Louis Crevier

Arvid Söderblom

Los Angeles Kings

Andrei Kuzmenko – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe
Kevin FIala – Quenton Byfield – Alex Laferriere
Warren Foegele – Phillip Danault – Trevor Moore
Joel Armia – Alex Turcotte – Corey Perry

Brian Dumoulin – Drew Doughty
Joel Edmundson – Brandt Clarke
Mikey Anderson – Cody Ceci

Anton Forsberg

Chicago are 2-1-0 in 2024-25 vs LAK
Chicago are 99-84-17-8 vs LAK

[CoachFrenchy]

According to @MoneyPuckdotcom
, Spencer Knight leads all NHL goaltenders in Goals Saved Above Expected.

Happy Friday…Spencer Knight GSVA

[CoachFrenchy]

Good period overall 👏 on the road 1-0…

Nazar finds the back of the net on the power play ⚡️
Foligno needs to play a little smarter — avoid those unnecessary penalties. Not Necessary…
Mikheyev with another strong period — earning every dollar 💰
Tampa just doesn’t look sharp tonight…

[CoachFrenchy]

I wrote an article about him… few months ago

Spencer Knight — The Toughest Save of His Life

Let’s be honest — sometimes the biggest battles aren’t on the ice.

In February 2023, Spencer Knight made a decision that took more courage than any glove save. He stepped away from hockey to take care of himself. The Panthers announced he had entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, and just like that, the young goalie disappeared from the lineup.

No one knew the full story at first. But behind the scenes, Knight was fighting something real — Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

The Pressure Behind the Mask

Knight was supposed to be Florida’s goalie of the future — first-round pick, 13th overall in 2019, calm, confident, ready for the spotlight.
But underneath all that, he was struggling with constant, intrusive thoughts that wouldn’t go away.

He talked later about it: the hand-washing, the fear of contamination, the rituals that took over his mind. It started back at Boston College, but by 2023 it got worse.
After one game in Winnipeg, he said he felt like he was “spiraling in a direction I didn’t want to go.”

That’s when he made the hardest call of his young career — to ask for help.

Stepping Away to Get Better

On February 24, 2023, Knight entered the league’s assistance program.
It meant time away from the Panthers, away from the noise, and away from the pressure to perform.

But it also meant something bigger — a chance to breathe again.
He said later that it was about “getting back to being himself,” and that simple idea is powerful.

He didn’t quit. He reset.

The Comeback

When Knight returned to the ice a few months later for development camp, you could see it in his smile — the joy was back.
He told reporters, “It’s just fun to get back in the swing of things.”

That line says it all.
Sometimes the game can swallow you up. Sometimes you need to step back to find your love for it again.

Now, Knight’s story is no longer just about hockey — it’s about resilience, mental strength, and breaking the stigma around mental health in sports.

More Than a Goalie

Spencer Knight’s courage reminds us that even the best athletes are human.
Behind every save and every celebration, there’s a person trying to keep it together — just like the rest of us.

He didn’t just make a comeback on the ice. He made one in life.
And maybe that’s the most important save he’ll ever make.

[CoachFrenchy]

Blackhawks face the Lightning tonight at 5:45pm CT. It’s an ESPN+/Hulu exclusive.

Reichel-Bedard-Bertuzzi
Teravainen-Nazar-Mikheyev
Lafferty-Greene-Donato
Slaggert-Foligno-Dach

Vlasic-Rinzel
Kaiser-Levshunov
Grzelcyk-Murphy
Crevier

Knight

Take a note: Burakovsky is out family reason and Foligno is back

expect 11″F” 7 “D”: Lafferty (healthy scratch)

[CoachFrenchy]

Thank you so much for your comment, my friend. I completely agree with your take on Kaiser — he’s been showing a lot of poise and maturity in his game this season.

[Author]

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