The Chicago Blackhawks received a significant boost to their roster for Saturday's game against the Edmonton Oilers, with Ilya Mikheyev poised to return after recovering from an injury.
The Blackhawks are preparing for a challenging encounter tonight at Rogers Place against the Edmonton Oilers, featuring players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
While the Blackhawks may not yet rival the Oilers in terms of star power, they are welcoming back an important player who sat out the previous two games.
Ilya Mikheyev joined the Blackhawks for practice and is slated to rejoin the lineup tonight, though the team will still be without Jason Dickinson.
It appears Mikheyev will take the ice alongside Ryan Donato and Colton Dach on the same line. According to Blackhawks analyst Ben Pope, the team's projected forward lines for the game against the Oilers are as follows:
Blackhawks are practicing now in Edmonton.I don't see Dickinson on the ice. I do see Mikheyev.
This season, Mikheyev has recorded 5 points, including 3 goals and 2 assists.
The Blackhawks Kicked Off Their Road Trip with a loss to Winnipeg
The Blackhawks have secured five wins so far this season, sparking optimism among fans that the team might be on the verge of contending for a playoff spot once again.
However, their road trip got off to a rough start with a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Notably, former Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews faced his old team for the first time since his NHL return, having been absent from the league since 2023.