With two games remaining in its preseason schedule, the Chicago Blackhawks are mixing things up for Thursday night’s preseason matchup on the road against the Detroit Red Wings.
It starts in net with Anton Forsberg, who appears to be locked in as Chicago’s backup for the season and will make the start against Detroit. Corey Crawford will get the net on Saturday night against the Boston Bruins in the Hawks final preseason tuneup, according to coach Joel Quenneville on Wednesday.
Only 12 forwards are playing, with notable names like Patrick Kane, Brandon Saad, and Patrick Sharp among those not expected to play. Alex DeBrincat jumps up to the top line with Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik, while Artem Anisimov will be flanked on the second line by wingers Vinnie Hinostroza and John Hayden.
Veteran Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook aren’t expected to play, so it’ll be a good look at several of the young players on the blue line tonight. Training camp invite Cody Franson and Connor Murphy will play, but expect the coaching staff to get a good look at names like Michal Kempny, Gustav Forsling, Ville Pokka, Erik Gustaffson, and Jordan Oesterle.
Projected lineups
Blackhawks
DeBrincat — Toews — Panik
Hinostroza — Anisimov — Hayden
Bouma — Kero — Wingels
Dauphin — Kampf — Jurco
Defensemen: Franson, Murphy, Kempny, forsling, Pokka, Gustaffson, Oesterle
Forsberg
Berube
Red Wings
Tonight’s projected #CHIvsDET lineup. | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/zSEBQG2foX
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 28, 2017
How to watch Blackhawks at Red Wings
Start time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
TV: CSN Chicago Plus