The end of the Chicago Blackhawks’ season is in sight. The team continued their western trip against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night. With the 32nd spot within eye shot, the Blackhawks needed to rack another loss to keep pace with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before the game, the Blackhawks announced that Lukas Reichel and Alex Vlasic would be sent down to Rockford to bolster the team in their push for the playoffs. The Blackhawks have also announced that Taylor Raddysh is done for the season.
- In the game, Seth Jones notched his 12th goal of the season to tie the game early in the first period, however the tie was short lived, as Seattle ended the period up 3–1.
- Jones notched his second goal of the game in the second period to cut the Kraken lead to 3–2 with a one-timer on a 5-on-3 power play.
- Adam Larsson added a goal to give the Kraken a 4–2 lead and Daniel Sprong added another goal 55 second later. With the Kraken lead at 5–2, Reichel cut into the lead again with his seventh goal of the season, redirecting a Vlasic point shot for the goal.
- In the third period, Seattle cemented the victory with goals from Jared McCann and Morgan Geekie to win 7–3.
- In the loss, head coach Luke Richardson, said it was Reichel’s best performance of the season and his talents were on full display in the third period.
Reichel update
With the Rockford IceHogs’ offense struggling, the Blackhawks have decided to send Reichel along with Vlasic to bolster the roster. Before rejoining the Blackhawks, Reichel has 17 goals and 29 assists for the IceHogs this season. He currently ranks fourth on the team in points while only appearing in 51 AHL games. With the playoffs hanging in the balance, this will get both Reichel and Vlasic pressure game experience and hopefully a long playoff experience.
The IceHogs currently hold the fifth spot in the AHL’s Central Division with four games to play, but they are only one point ahead of the Chicago Wolves for the final spot. The IceHogs and Wolves square off on Tuesday at the BMO Center.
Toews update
NHL.com is reporting that Jonathan Toews is treating these last two games as his last two home games with the Blackhawks. The 34 year-old center has not decided on his future in terms of playing in the NHL, but believes this will be the end with the Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks’ next game will be at home against the Minnesota Wild on Monday at 8 p.m. CDT.