Smith has been out of the lineup since suffering an injury in the third period of Chicago's December 12th game against the New york Islanders. The 35-year-old Smith has 10 points (6G / 4A) in 26 games while averaging 11:47 time-on-ice.
Mrazek has only played one of the last eight games while battling an injury but will return to the crease on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. In his most recent outing, Mrazek allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Calgary Flames. He has a 2.94 GAA and .902 SV% in 21 appearances this season (7-12-1). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +144 road underdogs against a Sabres squad that snapped a 13-game losing skid on Monday.
Philipp Kurashev will likely draw back into Chicago's lineup on Friday, resulting in Anderson being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Anderson is averaging 12:24 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) in 18 games this season.
Joey Anderson will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Kurashev to re-enter the lineup. Kurashev has not played the last four games. After scoring an impressive 54 points (18G / 36A) in 75 games last season, the 25-year-old Kurashev only has five points (3G / 2A) in 28 games this season.
Mrazek has only played one of the last eight games while battling an injury but will likely return to the crease on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. In his most recent outing, Mrazek allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Calgary Flames. He has a 2.94 GAA and .902 SV% in 21 appearances this season (7-12-1). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +144 road underdogs against a Sabres squad that snapped a 13-game losing skid on Monday.
The Blackhawks will turn to Soderblom between the pipes on Monday against the Boston Bruins. The 25-year-old netminder was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. He has a 2.56 GAA and a .913 SV% in 13 games (5-7-1). The Blackhawks enter Monday's contest as +189 road underdogs against the Wild.
Kaiser has been a regular in the Blackhawks lineup this season, playing 28 games while averaging 17:33 time-on-ice. The 22-year-old defenseman has one point (0G / 1A), 54 blocks, and 33 hits this season.
Smith has been out of the lineup since suffering an injury in the third period of last Thursday's loss against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Smith has 10 points (6G / 4A) in 26 games while averaging 11:47 time-on-ice.
Petr Mrazek was activated from Injured Reserve on Thursday but will serve as the backup to Soderblom against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old Soderblom has posted solid numbers this season with a 2.70 GAA and .909 SV% in 12 games (4-7-1). He has won three of his last four, posting a .894 SV%. The Blackhawks enter Thursday's contest as +119 home underdogs against a Kraken squad outscored 8-1 during a two-game losing skid.
Petr Mrazek was activated from Injured Reserve on Thursday but will likely serve as the backup to Soderblom against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old Soderblom has posted solid numbers this season with a 2.70 GAA and .909 SV% in 12 games (4-7-1). He has won three of his last four, posting a .894 SV%. The Blackhawks enter Thursday's contest as +119 home underdogs against a Kraken squad outscored 8-1 during a two-game losing skid.
With Petr Mrazek being activated from IR, Commesso has been assigned to Rockford (AHL). The 22-year-old Commesso made his first career NHL start during this stint with the Blackhawks, saving 20 of 24 shots (.833 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. During his time in Rockford (AHL), Commesso has gone 22-22-4 with a .901 SV%.
Mrazek has not played since December 7th but will rejoin the team on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken and is expected to back up Arvid Soderblom. In a corresponding move, Drew Commesso has been reassigned to Rockford (AHL).
