Toews, Kane, Saad and more in the lineup as Blackhawks battle Bruins
It looks an awful lot like a regular season lineup.
In their final preseason game, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Boston Bruins and are running out a lineup that could closely resemble what takes the ice during the season opener on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
All of the stars are accounted for: Jonathan Toews is on the top line with Brandon Saad and Richard Panik on his wings. Patrick Kane mans the second line along with Nick Schmaltz at center and Patrick Sharp. Alex DeBrincat slots in on the third line with Ryan Hartman on his opposite wing and Artem Anisimov at center. The story remains the same among the defense, with Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Connor Murphy among the eight defensemen expected to be available for Saturday night’s game.
The story is much different for the Bruins, with several noticeable names missing including forwards Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak, plus goaltender Tuukka Rask.
Projected lineups
Blackhawks
Saad — Toews — Panik
Sharp — Schmaltz — Kane
DeBrincat — Anisimov — Hartman
Bouma — Kero — Hayden
Keith — Murphy
Kempny — Rutta
Oesterle — Franson
Forsling — Seabrook
Crawford
Forsberg
Bruins
#NHLBruins morning skate lines:
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 30, 2017
Beleskey-Spooner-Heinen
Schaller-Nash-Acciari
DeBrusk-JFK-Purcell
Kuraly-Szwarz-Vatrano
Bjork
Defensemen on the ice: O’Gara, Postma, Grzelcyk, Cross, Breen, Zboril
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 30, 2017
Goalies: Khudobin, Subban
How to watch Bruins at Blackhawks
Start time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: CSN Chicago