BLACKHAWKS BANTER 7

Head Coach Derek King took a full squad of skaters on the Blackhawks three game trip, but was probably not expecting all that could’ve happened following Thursday night’s win over the Capitals.  Between Thursday and Saturday, King lost three essential skaters.

 Defensemen Connor Murphy was placed in concussion protocol, and his pair partner Jake McCabe had to leave the team for a family matter.  Jujhjair Khaira was also not on the ice due to a non-covid related illness. These absences forced Chicago’s coaching staff to make some adjustments, against a very good New York Rangers team.  

Previously scratched, Reese Johnson would see time on ice as he drew in for Khaira on the third line.  With Riley Stillman still recovering from an injury, Ian Mitchell was recalled from the Rockford IceHogs early morning before the game.  Mitchell would be paired with fellow rookie Wyatt Kalynuk, and Seth Jones was skating with his younger brother Caleb for the first time this season. 

 This wasn’t the only family connection at last night’s game.  The Jones family had a busy weekend in NYC, the defensemens’ father Popeye Jones is an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets. Denver played at Madison Square Garden earlier that afternoon, so he spent his off time catching his sons’ game. The first time he saw them in Blackhawks sweaters. 

 Another father-son duo was projected, Gord Murphy who coaches the Rangers is father of Blackhawk’s alternate captain Connor Murphy.  Although Murphy was unfit to compete, there must’ve been some friendly rivalry involved. 

Speaking of friendly rivalry, forward Dylan Strome got several opportunities to face-off against his older brother and alternate captain for the Rangers Ryan. In a pre-game interview Chicago’s Strome mentioned that he had never won a game against his brother, and was eager to change that.

Unfortunately for Strome and the rest of the Chicago Blackhawks organization, the team was unable to pick up their desired two points. After a tough regulation time battle, King’s squad left New York City with a 2-3 loss. 

A hungry captain in Jonathan Toews will look to guide his team to victory, as they play their next match tonight against the New York Islanders.