The Chicago Blackhawks need to get back to their winning ways and they’re hoping Marko Dano can help them. The hyped 20-year-old forward is set to make his debut with the Hawks as they host the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night looking to snap a two-game winning streak and gain some ground in a stacked Central Division.
Dano might be an important long-term player for Chicago, but his impact will be needed immediately as the team tries to keep up in the Central. The Hawks are currently sixth in the division with a 6-5-0 record and will need to climb up the standings by the spring in order to carve out a playoff spot. That means getting more production on offense, where the team has been a mess. Dano could be part of the solution there.
At just 20 years old, Dano is the latest part of a serious youth movement for the Hawks. Their lineup for Monday night will look especially young with Marian Hossa apparently nursing a minor injury. Here’s what the team rolled out during morning bag skate:
Panarin-Toews-Garbutt
Teravainen-Anisimov-Kane
Dano-Kero-Hartman
Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw
The big changes there are Panarin moving up to the first line with Teravainen taking his place, Garbutt temporarily taking Hossa’s spot and Dano’s addition to the third line. The average age of those forwards is below 25 and Garbutt’s the oldest one at 30 years old. The Hawks continue to experiment with lineups and this is the youngest — and most intriguing — one yet, Hossa absence aside.
Opponent Breakdown
Los Angeles Kings | Record: 7-3-0 | Goal differential: +3
The Kings enter this team absolutely scorching the ice. The team has won seven consecutive games after dropping three straight to open the season and now sits tied atop the Pacific Division. After running into some tough luck last year, it appears L.A.’s fortunes have changed thus far in 2015-16.
The big one-two punch has been forwards Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli, who lead the team with 10 points apiece. Toffoli is actually tied for the league lead with nine goals, although he’s shooting nearly 35 percent and won’t be able to keep that up all season. Milan Lucic and Drew Doughty have also been productive with seven points each.
On the possession side of things, the Kings are dominating like they always have. Los Angeles has a 56 percent Corsi at even strength — No. 2 in the NHL behind St. Louis — and takes the fourth-highest percent of offensive zone starts in the league. So the Kings are doing what they’ve always done, and thanks to some good fortune, it’s gotten them back to their winning ways.
Injuries
Blackhawks: Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa
Kings: Matt Greene, Dwight King
How to Watch
When: 7:30 p.m. CT
Where: United Center, Chicago
TV: CSN Chicago