Blackhawks Face Tough Oilers Test in Game 12 Showdown
The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for a challenging matchup against the Edmonton Oilers — two teams headed in very different directions, yet both with something to prove. This game, set for Saturday night in Edmonton, carries extra intrigue as the Oilers look to rediscover their championship form, while the Blackhawks continue to build momentum behind their youthful core.
Now, when you think of the Oilers, it’s impossible not to start with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — two of the most dominant players in hockey today. Edmonton’s been living in a “Stanley Cup or bust” window for a while now. They’ve reached the Finals in back-to-back years, but both times, they fell just short. That sting still lingers, and it’s fueling their push this season. Yet, with a 5-4-3 record so far, things haven’t gone as smoothly as they’d like.
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Chicago, on the other hand, is in a very different stage. At 5-4-2, the Blackhawks are exceeding expectations early in the season. After finishing near the bottom of the standings for three straight years, this start has given fans a reason to feel optimistic. This game marks the second stop in their six-game road trip — and after a rough 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, they’ll be looking to rebound fast.
As for lineups, the Oilers are expected to roll out their usual top-heavy attack. McDavid will center a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane, while Draisaitl anchors the second unit alongside Vasily Podkolzin and Jack Roslovic. Stuart Skinner gets the nod in goal, and he’s had solid success against Chicago — a perfect 4-0-0 record in his career with a 2.00 goals-against average. Confidence clearly won’t be an issue for him tonight.
For Chicago, there are some lineup adjustments worth noting. Jason Dickinson remains out after aggravating an upper-body injury, but Ilya Mikheyev returns after missing two games. He’s expected to slot into the third line with Ryan Donato and Colton Dach. Rookie Connor Bedard continues to skate on the top line with Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky, while Teuvo Teravainen, Frank Nazar, and Tyler Bertuzzi form a balanced and gritty second line.
Spencer Knight is projected to start in goal for the Blackhawks, hoping to bounce back after a tough outing against Winnipeg. Chicago may once again go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen — a setup that’s given head coach Jeff Blashill flexibility, though it has tested the endurance of the forwards.
The puck drops at 9 PM Central, airing on CHSN in Chicago and CBC/SN1 nationally, with streaming available on ESPN+. It’s a matchup of raw youth versus seasoned star power — a test of patience for the rebuilding Hawks, and a chance at redemption for the Oilers looking to reignite their spark.
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