Scott Darling will start in net for the Chicago Blackhawks when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the United Center in Chicago.
Darling gets the nod over Lars Johansson, who signed a one-year deal in May, while Corey Crawford is representing Canada at the World Cup of Hockey. Darling posted a 12-8 record with a 2.58 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 29 games last season. Johansson, 28, has played the last three seasons with Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League, posting a 56-27-0 record with 11 shutouts in 93 games.
Morning line rushes, for @markpotash:
Schmaltz-Hinostroza-Panik
Motte-Kero-Hartman
Fortin-Johnson-Tootoo
Lundberg-Rasmussen-McNeill— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) September 28, 2016
Of the Blackhawks forwards slated to play, only Richard Panik and Dennis Rasmussen saw regular ice time at the NHL level.
Nick Schmaltz, the Hawks’ first-round pick in 2014, signed his first pro contract this summer. He played center at North Dakota and has been at center during the team’s training camp. Much like Teuvo Teravainen it looks like the Hawks want to see what he can deliver at wing.
Vincent Hinostroza played seven games with the Hawks last season. The Notre Dame product led AHL Rockford with 18 goals and 51 points in 66 games. The Bartlett, Ill., native’s most likely spot on the roster would be as the fourth-line center.
Penguins enter game 0-1 in preseason
The Penguins dropped a 4-2 decision against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday at Joe Lewis Arena.
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 16 of the 19 shots he faced during two periods. He’s only played in three games, two starts, since March 31, but this season he’ll have to stay healthy with Matt Murray out three to six weeks with a broken hand.
Garrett Wilson, a 25-year-old winger who signed as a free agent in July, scored both goals for the Penguins.
The Penguins are without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Olli Maatta, Patric Hornqvist and Carl Hagelin due to the World Cup.
Pens lines from Tuesday:
S. Wilson-Rowney-Sheary
Kuhnhacki-Guentzel-Simon
Sestito-Dea-Archibald
G. Wilson-Porter-Kostopoulous
Cole-Pouliot
Schultz-Oleksv
McNeill-Segallas
How to watch
When: 7:30 p.m. CT
Where: United Center, Chicago
TV: NHLN-US, CSN+
For those who are wondering where to find CSN-Plus, here’s this. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Z00gZiqDi1
— Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN) September 28, 2016