Blackhawks Connor Bedard Back on Line with Philipp Kurashev and Nick Foligno versus Coyotes

Based on lines in the Blackhawks' Sunday's practice, Connor Bedard will again center Philipp Kurashev and Nick Foligno when Chicago meets the Coyotes in Arizona on Monday night.

The unit was the team's most productive in a 4-3 OT win over the Golden Knights in Vegas in Friday. 

Kurashev, in his second game back from a wrist injury, scored the game-winner during a power play at 2:50 of the extra period. Bedard fired his his third goal of the season off a nifty pass from Foligno to tie it at 2 late in the first.

For the game, the Kurashev-Bedard-Foligno line had six shots on goal and attempted 11 more shots (seven blocked, four missed). 

Bedard, who enters Monday tied for the NHL rookie lead in shots on goal with 25, likes the dynamics of the trio. See video.

Lineup Summary

Against Arizona, the Blackhawks (3-5-0) will be without impressive rookie defenseman Alex Vlasic, who's in concussion protocol after a big hit from Brett Howden in Vegas. Isaak Phillips was recalled from AHL Rockford to take Vlasic's place. (See story on the site.)

Speedy forward Andreas Athanasiou returns to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in Vegas.

Lukas Reichel remains as the second-line center despite not recording a point in eight games. The 21-year-old German, Chicago's No. 1 draft pick in 2020, (17th overall) is a minus-8 and has 18 shots on goal.

Forward Lines

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Extra: Boris Katchouk

Defense Pairings

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Extra: Nikita Zaitsev

Goalies

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Injured: Forward Taylor Hall (shoulder, IR), Defenseman Alex Vlasic (concussion).