Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 30th 2023

The Chicago Blackhawks haven’t been able to put two victories together this season. They will give it another shot on Thursday in a road game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Chicago is beginning a three-game road trip after recording a 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. The Blackhawks scored a pair of goals in the second period to take a 4-2 lead, then held off the Kraken in the final 20 minutes.

“I think the guys were really determined today to get a win and go on to the road with a winning attitude,” Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. “It might not have been pretty all the way through to the end, but it was definitely scrappy, and I liked the determination to get that win.”

Tyler Johnson and MacKenzie Entwistle scored the second-period goals after Seattle erased a 2-0 deficit with two goals late in the first period, including a short-handed tally. Seattle had a 36-23 advantage in shots on goal, but the Blackhawks blocked 23 shots and had an 18-6 edge in takeaways.

“I just thought we did the little things to win,” Chicago defenseman Seth Jones said. “We got pucks deep, all of our lines played great and brought a great energy.”

Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard, the top pick of this year’s draft, didn’t have a point for the second straight game. He has been held to one goal in the past seven games after notching eight in the previous eight games.

Bedard is adjusting to the rigors of the NHL schedule.

“I think just how many games we’re playing and it’s so much fun,” the 18-year-old told the team’s website. “That’s what you work all summer for is to get in those game situations. It’s funny because from the start it’s just flown by, but it’s nice just playing the game every other day, basically, and it’s awesome.”

Detroit will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set. The Red Wings gave up two third-period goals and lost a road game to the New York Rangers 3-2 on Wednesday, snapping their three-game winning streak.

Robby Fabbri, who had a goal and an assist in the defeat, has scored in three of the past four games. Goaltender Ville Husso made 38 saves, but it went for naught.

“There were some positives, but we got away from our game at times,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “Ville did a great job and gave us a chance.”

Detroit had a power play in the final two minutes but couldn’t capitalize.

“It’s really frustrating right now,” Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider said. “They outskated us and had a guy or two more on the attack. That cost us in the end.”

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin sat out with an undisclosed injury and is doubtful to play on Thursday. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere also has an uncertain status for the Chicago game. He was slammed into the boards during the third period on Wednesday.

The Red Wings signed three-time Stanley Cup-winning forward Patrick Kane to a one-year contract on Tuesday, but he won’t be in uniform on Thursday. He will practice with the team a few times before making his debut, perhaps sometime next week.

–Field Level Media