In the month of November, the Chicago Blackhawks have emerged as one of the NHL’s top-performing teams. They currently boast the No. 1 power play in the league, converting an impressive 50 percent (yes, half) of their man-advantage opportunities. Additionally, the Blackhawks are tied for 10th in the NHL, averaging 3.33 goals per game this month.
Chicago is also one of only four teams in the NHL with a positive goal differential in double digits this season, sitting tied with Anaheim for third place at plus-11. However, despite these strong numbers, the Blackhawks hold a modest 3-2-2 record on home ice.
Tonight’s game marks the second of a lengthy home stretch following a successful road trip that saw Chicago close out with three straight wins.
### Toronto Maple Leafs Overview
The Toronto Maple Leafs come into tonight’s matchup holding seventh place in the Atlantic Division. They sit at 5-4-1 over their last ten games but are struggling on the road with a 1-4-0 record so far this season.
Defensively, the Leafs have been shaky, allowing an NHL-worst 3.83 goals per game and ranking 19th in penalty kill at 78.2 percent. Despite this, they rank second in the NHL in faceoff wins—a key strength of theirs.
However, the Leafs will be without star forward Auston Matthews for tonight’s game as he remains on injured reserve.
### Injury and Lineup Notes
– Frank Nazar and Jason Dickinson participated as extras during the morning skate, but Dickinson is officially out tonight. Nazar’s status is a game-time decision.
– Sam Rinzel will be a healthy scratch, making it a 12-6 roster for the Blackhawks this evening.
– The Leafs are battling numerous injuries, with several players out of the lineup or missing practices for maintenance. Consequently, they will not have a morning skate ahead of tonight’s game, making their final lines uncertain until pregame warmups.
### Centennial Celebration and Fan Reminder
A reminder to #Blackhawks fans: there are some exciting Centennial celebrations planned before tonight’s game against the injury-riddled Leafs. Don’t miss out, and remember—there’s a Tony O bobblehead giveaway tonight!
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### Broadcast Information
– **Puck Drop:** 6:00 PM CT
– **TV/Streaming:** CHSN
– **Radio:** WGN 720 AM
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### Expected Lineups
**Chicago Blackhawks**
Forwards:
– Tyler Bertuzzi — Connor Bedard — André Burakovsky
– Teuvo Teräväinen — Ryan Greene — Ilya Mikheyev
– Oliver Moore — Ryan Donato — Colton Dach
– Landon Slaggert — Nick Foligno — Sam Lafferty
Defensemen:
– Alex Vlasic — Louis Crevier
– Wyatt Kaiser — Artyom Levshunov
– Matt Grzelcyk — Connor Murphy
Goaltender:
– Spencer Knight
**Toronto Maple Leafs**
Forwards:
– Nicholas Robertson – John Tavares – William Nylander
– Matthew Knies – Max Domi – Easton Cowan
– Matias Maccelli – Nicolas Roy – Bobby McMann
– Dakota Joshua – Steven Lorentz – Calle Jarnkrok
Defensemen:
– Morgan Reilly – Brandon Carlo
– Simon Benoit – Jake McCabe
– Dakota Mermis – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Goaltender:
– Joseph Woll
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### Injury Report
**Chicago Blackhawks:**
– Frank Nazar: banged up, game-time decision
– Jason Dickinson: on IR
– Laurent Brossoit (hip) and Shea Weber (retired): out long term
**Toronto Maple Leafs:**
– Auston Matthews, Scott Laughton, Anthony Stolarz, Chris Tanev: on IR
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### What to Watch For
Connor Bedard remains one of the hottest players in the league, and with Toronto’s defensive struggles and injury woes, this game could be a trap for the Blackhawks. Chicago holds the better record and is clearly playing better hockey at this point in the season, but the Leafs still have dangerous players who can change the game in a flash.
Goaltending has been a strength for Chicago all year, and maintaining that high level of play will be crucial against Toronto tonight.
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### Additional Notes
– Chicago head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that Sam Rinzel will be a healthy scratch tonight as part of his ongoing development.
– The Blackhawks’ power-play units are as follows:
– PP1: Bertuzzi, Burakovsky, Teräväinen, Bedard, Levshunov
– PP2: Foligno, Donato, Greene, Moore, Grzelcyk
– Rinzel is not part of either unit at this time.
– Maple Leafs goalie Artur Akhtyamov was recently assigned to the Toronto Marlies, while forward Easton Cowan was recalled from the AHL and goalie Joseph Woll has been activated to the roster.
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### Talking Points and Coverage
– The Blackhawks continue to experiment with their seven-defensemen lineup.
– Efforts are ongoing to develop a stronger game from Sam Rinzel.
Stay tuned for in-game updates and analysis as the Blackhawks look to extend their hot streak in front of their home crowd tonight.
https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/11/15/blackhawks-vs-maple-leafs-lineups-broadcast-info-game-thread-3/