Andreas Athanasiou returns to the lineup for the Chicago Blackhawks after being out since November with a groin injury. He will play his first game in over 4 months. Petr Mrazek starts in goal. Blackhawks face the Anaheim Ducks with Landon Slaggert making his debut. Despite a strong offensive performance by the Blackhawks, they trail the Ducks 2-1 after the first period, with Brett Leason scoring two goals for Anaheim.
GOAL, Ducks. Hawks trail 2-1. Brett Leason scores his second of the game after a Tinordi turnover.
GOAL: The Brett Leason Game. Whoever Brett Leason is. 2-1 Ducks.
1st intermission: Blackhawks 1, Ducks 1 Hawks pelted John Gibson with 19 SOG. Athanasiou looks like usual slick self already.
GOAL, Ducks. Hawks trail 1-0. Korchinski gets a spin with PP1 but he made a pass too hot, ended up as the only man back on a 2-on-1 and the Ducks scored.
GOAL: A shorty for Brett Leason after a Kurashev bobble in the offensive zone. 1-0 Ducks.
NHL Buzz: Athanasiou to play for Blackhawks for 1st time in 4 months ⤵️ https://t.co/yzoCTtReCe
Andreas Athanasiou will play his first game in over 4 months tonight. "There’s so many things to think about, so it’s kinda hard to focus on one thing. It’s just, prepare as well as you can and be ready."
Luke Richardson confirms Andreas Athanasiou will be in the lineup tonight. He's been out since Nov. 9 with a groin injury. #Blackhawks
Andreas Athanasiou returns tonight. He's in for Sanford. Petr Mrázek starts. Landon Slaggert likely to make his debut Friday.
Andreas Athanasiou is taking part in line rushes like he’s playing tonight. He’s been out since Nov. 9 with a groin injury. #Blackhawks https://t.co/Dmz8Kd1Tpd
Blackhawks lines in morning skate vs Ducks — Athanasiou’s return seems like it’ll finally happen: Foligno-Bedard-Kurashev Blackwell-Dickinson-Anderson Athanasiou-TJohnson-Raddysh Donato-Entwistle-RJohnson Vlasic-Jones Korchinski-Megna Tinordi-Zaitsev Mrazek
#Blackhawks morning skate lineup: Foligno-Bedard-Kurashev Blackwell-Dickinson-Anderson Athanasiou-T. Johnson-Raddysh Donato-Entwistle-R. Johnson Vlasic-Jones Korchinski-Megna Tinordi-Zaitsev Mrazek Söderblom Extras: Sanford, Slaggert
Blackhawks host the Ducks tonight. Petr Mrazek is in the starter’s crease. Landon Slaggert just hit the ice wearing #84. https://t.co/MHouNnGSF9