Chicago Blackhawks News

Soderblom will start vs. Montreal on Friday.

Petr Mrazek played in Chicago's 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues in Tuesday's Winter Classic. The Blackhawks will revert to Soderblom between the pipes on Friday, looking to snap a five-game losing skid. Soderblom allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. He has a 2.78 GAA and .907 SV% in 16 games this season (5-9-1). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +124 home underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens squad outscoring their opposition 12-4 during a three-game winning streak.

Arvid Soderblom
Murphy missed practice on Thursday with a groin injury.

Murphy is battling through a groin injury and did not practice on Thursday. The 31-year-old Murphy has been a steadying force on the blue line for the Blackhawks this season, averaging 20:33 time-on-ice and scoring 13 points (1G / 12A) in 38 games. The Blackhawks return to action on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens.

Connor Murphy
Martinez (neck) is still considered day-to-day and will not play in the Winter Classic on Tuesday.

Martinez has been out of the lineup since December 7th but appears to be nearing a return to the Blackhawks lineup. The 37-year-old Martinez is averaging 20:05 time-on-ice, recording four points (1G / 3A), 38 blocks, and four hits in 15 games.

Alec Martinez
Knight will start vs. Montreal on Saturday.

Exiting the holiday break, the Panthers will turn to Knight between the pipes on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. Knight was excellent in his previous outing, saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 23-year-old Knight has a 2.78 GAA and .891 SV% in 13 games (6-5-1).

Spencer Knight
Kurashev is expected to draw back into Chicago's lineup on Friday in Buffalo.

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.

Philipp Kurashev
Soderblom will start in Minnesota 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.

Arvid Soderblom