Kurashev was a late scratch on Monday but returned to practice on Thursday and will play on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. Kurashev is averaging nearly 20 minutes per night over his last four games, collecting three points (1G / 2A) and six shots on goal. Cole Guttman is expected to be a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks.
Korchinski has not played since December 7th, missing five games while tending to personal matters. The seventh overall pick of the Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has seven points (2G / 5A) while averaging 19:31 time-on-ice in his rookie season. Wyatt Kaiser and Filip Roos will both be healthy scratches on the blue line for the Blackhawks.
Kaiser will join Filip Roos as a healthy scratch on Friday as Jarred Tinordi (concussion) and Kevin Korchinski (personal) will both draw back into the lineup. In 23 games this season, the 21-year-old Kaiser has four points (0G / 4A), 15 hits, and 29 blocks while averaging 16:40 time-on-ice.
Mrazek will likely return to the crease on Friday, his third straight start, being rewarded for a heroic performance in their last game. On Tuesday, Mrazek was sensational, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%), holding down the fort and shutting down the Colorado Avalanche en route to a 3-2 victory. Mrazek has fared well this season for the league's fourth-worst defensive team (3.55 GA / GP), posting a 3.04 GAA and .909 SV% through 20 appearances while tallying a respectable .556 quality start percentage. In a rare occurrence on Friday, the Blackhawks are slight -110 home favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that played last night, losing 4-3 to the Minnesota Wild in overtime.
Kurashev was a late scratch on Monday but returned to practice on Thursday and will likely play on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. Kurashev is averaging nearly 20 minutes per night over his last four games, collecting three points (1G / 2A) and six shots on goal.
Mrazek will likely on Tuesday, giving him consecutive starts for the second time in the last two wakes, a rare occurrence in what has been a season mostly consisting of an equal rotation between Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom. Mrazek has played well for the bottom-dwelling Blackhawks this season, posting a 3.10 GAA and .907 SV% in 19 games (7-10-0), but has allowed four goals in each of his last two starts (0-2-0), posting a .867 SV%. As they are most nights, the Blackhawks are sizeable underdogs (+215) as they host the Colorado Avalanche, a team that defeated them 4-0 in their last meeting.
Brossoit has been exceptional in limited action this month and will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite winning only one of two games (1-1-0), he has saved 72 of 75 shots (.960 SV%) for a Jets squad that has collected at least a point in seven of eight games (6-1-1). The Jets will have a favourable matchup on Wednesday against the Red Wings, who have lost three straight and will have to rely on James Reimer between the pipes as Alex Lyon and Ville Husso are both injured.
Mrazek will likely start on Tuesday, giving him consecutive starts for the second time in the last two wakes, a rare occurrence in what has been a season mostly consisting of an equal rotation between Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom. Mrazek has played well for the bottom-dwelling Blackhawks this season, posting a 3.10 GAA and .907 SV% in 19 games (7-10-0), but has allowed four goals in each of his last two starts (0-2-0), posting a .867 SV%. As they are most nights, the Blackhawks are sizeable underdogs (+215) as they host the Colorado Avalanche, a team that defeated them 4-0 in their last meeting.
Korchinskin has not played since December 7th, missing five games while tending to personal matters. The seventh overall pick of the Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has seven points (2G / 5A) while averaging 19:31 time-on-ice in his rookie season.
Brodie did not play on Saturday due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the New York Rangers after participating in morning skate. Brodie has six points (0G / 6A), 16 hits, 66 blocks, and is averaging 22:15 time-on-ice, his highest total since joining the Maple Leafs in the 2020-21 season.
Smith will re-enter the lineup for the Stars after not playing on Saturday, as Radek Faksa will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Seattle Kraken. Smith has three points (2G / 1A) in 26 games but still has 41 shots on goals while playing a career-low 10:34 time-on-ice in exclusively a fourth-line role.
Anderson played 13 straight games for the Blackhawks but suffered a shoulder injury in yesterday's contest against the Vancouver Canucks and has been placed on the injured reserve. He has five points (0G / 5A) while averaging 13:21 time-on-ice through 13 games this season.
