The Chicago Blackhawks are almost complete with a very busy part of the season. They have two games left before the Olympic break, and in the midst of a five-match losing streak, they are looking to enter the break on a high note.
Here are some tidbits ahead of their game against the San Jose Sharks on February 2.
Kurashev returns to Chicago
The Blackhawks-Sharks game is highly anticipated because of Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard. The first two overall picks are also good friends off the ice. But there is also another element. Philipp Kurashev returned to the United Center for the first time. He spent five seasons with the Blackhawks, including a career season in 2023-24 when he had 54 points in 75 games. But the Blackhawks didn’t give him a qualifying offer in free agency, allowing him to sign a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Sharks over the summer.
We spoke with Kurashev after the Sharks’ morning skate, and he reflected on his time in Chicago: “[I’m] I’m excited to see all my former teammates and staff who were here. I think I grew up here with these people. I really enjoyed my time here, honestly. That’s all I knew. But it was a great time for me to fulfill one of my dreams: playing in the NHL, and they gave me the opportunity here. So I’m very grateful for that, and I’ve definitely learned a lot over the years here, and I’m happy to be back.
For a fun fact, he said he met with Bedard and Colton Dach yesterday at Gibsons Italia for lunch, which he said was a regular restaurant of his. He also noted that he thinks Chicago is probably the best city for food.
When it came to what he expected against the Blackhawks: “Yeah, no, expect a good game. You know, they took a step this year too and it’s going to be an exciting game, I think. It’s going to be fun to play and it’s going to be different, but I’m going to enjoy it.”
This season, Kurashev has 15 points in 32 games, and they are his second game back from an upper body injury That kept him out of the lineup for more than a month.
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He was asked if he came into the game with a chip on his shoulder: “Yes, I mean 100 percent, you know. But ultimately… I don’t think so. It’s a very important game for us. We have to get the win. We know that now is the time that we need every point we can get, and that’s what the focus is on. And I’m just going to do my best to help the team in any way I can, and that’s all.”
There was real appreciation in Kurashev’s voice for his time in Chicago. But on the ice it will be business as usual.
The Celebrini/Bedard game
When it comes to Celebrini and Bedard, there is fun in the match. Both gave rave reviews about each other.
What Bedard says about skating with Celebrini last summer: “I think, yeah, it’s just his work ethic. You know, he obviously has such a great career and is such a great player. But it doesn’t happen by accident. You know, he puts a lot of time and effort into it. And obviously, for me, and for both of us, to just compete against each other every day and have that competition – we have a great group of guys that skate in the summer. So, you know, it’s always fun.
Celebrini said about Bedard and whether there is extra motivation for the matchup: “Obviously, having a guy like that to compete against in the summer and pick up some things. He’s a pretty special talent at what he does, and I think being able to take some things from him and apply them to my game has definitely helped me in the summer. I think tonight, I mean, we don’t have to get up any more than we already have to for other reasons.”
Celebrini also praised Bedard’s focus and approach over the summer.
Bedard had a similar opinion when asked about additional motivation for the Feb. 1 game between the two: “No, I think it’s Blackhawks versus Sharks. You know, I don’t think we’re really looking at that, if you ask him the same thing. Obviously, I’m looking forward to just seeing him off the ice and saying hi, but you know, just another game.”
Like Kurashev, fun aside, it’s business as usual.
Blackhawks looking for results
The Blackhawks lost two of their three games against the Sharks last season. Currently, both teams are out of the playoffs. The Sharks’ 58 points put them two points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, while the Blackhawks have 51 points.
Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson knows the final two games before the Olympic break are important for his team. He told me in part about the team’s mentality: “Play good hockey and winning will happen. You know, we played bad hockey, and then we played some good stretches, and that’s not enough to win. So I want us to play the full 60.” [minutes]come out and play the way we know we can, and let the results speak for themselves…”
The Blackhawks-Sharks game is important for both teams, and with plenty of storylines to follow, it should make for an entertaining evening.
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