Blackhawks Ride Ilya Mikheyev-Teuvo Teravainen Connection to Third Consecutive Win
File this as a sentence that would’ve been hard to believe a month ago: Ilya Mikheyev and Teuvo Teravainen just propelled the Blackhawks to their first three-game winning streak since Patrick Kane’s tenure.
A Perfect Combination
Teravainen set up Mikheyev’s two goals, Nolan Allan added his first NHL goal for insurance, and goalie Arvid Soderblom made 27 saves as the Hawks beat the Kraken 3-1 on Thursday.
The Finnish-Russian Connection
Captain Nick Foligno praised the duo, saying, “The Finnish-Russian connection is solid right now.”
A Turnaround for Mikheyev
Mikheyev has scored four goals in three games after notching only two in his first 28 games. His speed always has made him an effective defensive forward, but he seems to be rediscovering some of the offensive touch he demonstrated a few years ago in Vancouver.
A Breakout for Teravainen
Teravainen, meanwhile, is playing his best hockey since the opening road trip of the season. He has eight points in his last three games, breaking out of a slump in which he had only six points in 25 games.
Interim Coach’s Praise
Interim coach Anders Sorensen credited the duo, saying, “There’s a lot of hockey sense [in] both of them.”
Perfect Storm
Goalie Petr Mrazek’s December has been a perfect storm of disruptions. He suffered a minor groin injury, got the flu, and dealt with a family health issue, which all combined to make his 12-day absence partly miserable and partly a much-needed break.
Notes
Sorensen said Seth Jones, who hasn’t played since Nov. 14 because of a foot injury, is close to returning. It’s unclear if that could happen before the Christmas break. He has skated individually with Alec Martinez (neck) before practices this week.
Conclusion
The Blackhawks’ recent winning streak is a testament to the chemistry between Mikheyev and Teravainen. Their connection on the ice has been instrumental in the team’s success, and it will be exciting to see how they continue to perform in the coming games.
FAQs
Q: How many goals has Ilya Mikheyev scored in his last three games?
A: Mikheyev has scored four goals in his last three games.
Q: How many points has Teuvo Teravainen accumulated in his last three games?
A: Teravainen has eight points in his last three games.
Q: When is Petr Mrazek expected to return to the lineup?
A: Mrazek is expected to start Saturday against the Flames, pending his recovery from a minor groin injury.
