Chicago Blackhawks forward Victor Ejdsell will make his NHL debut as the team’s No. 1 center when they host the San Jose Sharks on Monday night at United Center.
Ejdsell, 22, was recalled from the AHL on Sunday morning. The 6-foot-5 Ejdsell was acquired by Chicago as part of the Ryan Hartman trade with the Nashville Predators in February. Ejdsell had 20 goals and 14 assists in the SHL this season. Ejdsell had an assist at center in two games with Rockford, while he played center and wing in the SHL.
Ejdsell takes over the No. 1 center from Patrick Kane, who played in the role in Saturday’s 3-1 win over the New York Islanders with captain Jonathan Toews out with an upper-body injury. Chicago’s victory snapped a five-game skid for the Hawks. Goaltender Anton Forsberg made 31 saves.
Rookie forward Matthew Highmore will draw back into the lineup for John Hayden, who is out with an upper-body injury.
The Hawks will host a red-hot Sharks team that has won seven straight, with six of those having Martin Jones in net.
Logan Couture extended his point streak to four games with an assist in the Sharks’ 5-1 home victory over Calgary. Couture left the bench in the third period with an undisclosed injury, but is still expected to play.
San Jose is in playoff position in second place in the Pacific Division, but has yet to clinch a spot. The Sharks are six points back of Vegas for first place and four points clear of Anaheim.
Chicago and San Jose have split their season series leading into Monday’s tilt. Nick Schmaltz leads the team with three points (two goals, one assists) against the Sharks this season.
Lineups
Blackhawks
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| F1 | Brandon Saad – Victor Ejdsell – Patrick Kane |
| F2 | Vinnie Hinostroza – Nick Schmaltz – Alex DeBrincat |
| F3 | Tomas Jurco – Artem Anisimov – Andreas Martinesen |
| F4 | Patrick Sharp – David Kampf – Matthew Highmore |
| D1 | Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook |
| D2 | Jan Rutta – Erik Gustafsson |
| D3 | Jordan Oesterle – Connor Murphy |
| Goaltender | Anton Forsberg |
Sharks
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| F1 | Evander Kane – Joe Pavelski – Melker Karlsson |
| F2 | Tomas Hertl – Logan Couture – Mikkel Boedker |
| F3 | Timo Heier – Chris Tierney – Kevin Labanc |
| F4 | Barclay Goodrow – Eric Fehr – Jannik Hansen |
| D1 | Paul Martin – Brent Burns |
| D2 | Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun |
| D3 | Brenden Dillon – Dylan DeMelo |
| Goaltender | Martin Jones |
*Lines are subject to change.
How to watch Sharks at Blackhawks
Start time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: NBCSN