Golden Knights Gameday 57: Patty Kane, Patty Kane, Baker’s Man: Lines and Notes vs Blackhawks

The Vegas Golden Knights (34-18-4, 72 points) will embark on a brief one-game road trip Tuesday as they play the Chicago Blackhawks (18-32-5, 41 points) this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. from United Center. This is the final game of the season series between these two teams. The VGK are 2-0. 

Laurent Brossoit is expected to make his first start of the season with both Logan Thompson and Adin Hill out of the lineup. Hill, who has started the last three games, missed Monday's practice with "a bump" from last game according to head coach Bruce Cassidy.

Henderson Silver Knights goaltender Michael Hutchinson has been recalled as a result. Additionally, the Golden Knights placed Mark Stone on LTIR and Daniil Miromanov on IR Monday, likely to free up a roster spot. But it could also be a precursor move for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline.

What to Watch For

Patty Kane

One of the biggest names still out on the NHL Trade Market is Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks. The veteran future Hockey-Hall-of-Famer is nearing the end of his current contract with the rebuilding Blackhawks and could be traded before the deadline as a result. 

The Golden Knights are reportedly one of the teams interested in Kane. So keep an eye on PK88, who has five goals in his last two games.

Bringing Back Brossoit

After recovering from hip surgery and then playing for the Henderson Silver Knights for months, Laurent Brossoit will get his first start as a Golden Knight since March 15th of 2022. The veteran backup goaltender is ready to make an impact after months of waiting and training.

"It does feel like a first NHL start. It's a long time coming and I am just excited to be back in the net wearing a VGK jersey," said Brossoit.

Trap Game

As always with teams like the Blackhawks, especially at this time of year, the Golden Knights must avoid the trap game. The Blackhawks, in short, are not a very good team as they are venturing towards rebuilding into a Stanley Cup Contender again. With the VGK in the midst of a playoff race, they must take care of business and collect two points against a weaker opponent tonight in Chicago.

Projected Golden Knights Line Combinations

Paul Cotter- Jack Eichel- Jonathan Marchessault

Reilly Smith- William Karlsson- Michael Amadio

Will Carrier- Chandler Stephenson- Phil Kessel

Brett Howden- Nicolas Roy- Keegan Kolesar

Alec Martinez- Alex Pietrangelo

Brayden McNabb- Shea Theodore

Nicolas Hague- Zach Whitecloud

Laurent Brossoit/Michael Hutchinson

Golden Knights Special Teams

PP1: Stephenson, Marchessault, Roy, Eichel, Pietrangelo

PP2: Carrier, Karlsson, Kessel, Smith, Theodore

PK1: Karlsson, Smith, McNabb, Pietrangelo

PK2: Stephenson, Roy, Whitecloud, Martinez

IR/Scratches

Shea Weber, Nolan Patrick, Robin Lehner/Mark Stone (c), Logan Thompson, Daniil Miromanov, Adin Hill/Ben Hutton

Projected Blackhawks Line Combinations

Philipp Kurashev- Max Domi- Patrick Kane

Tyler Johnson- Cole Guttman- Taylor Raddysh

Jason Dickinson- Sam Lafferty- Andreas Athanasiou

Boris Katchouk- Reese Johnson- Colin Blackwell

Jake McCabe- Seth Jones

Connor Murphy- Jack Johnson

Caleb Jones- Ian Mitchell

Petr Mrazek/Jaxson Stauber

Blackhawks Special Teams

PP1- Raddysh, Domi, T. Johnson, S. Jones, Kane

PP2- Athanasiou, Lafferty, Kurashev, C. Jones, Mitchell

PK1- Lafferty, Dickinson, McCabe, S. Jones

PK2- Blackwell, R. Johnson, C. Jones, Murphy

IR/Scratches

Jonathan Toews (c), Alex Stalock, Jared Tinordi, Jujhar Khaira, Mackenzie Entwistle

How to Watch/Listen

5:30 p.m. on AT&T Sportsnet, ESPN+ and Fox Sports 98.9 FM Radio.