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Blackhawks will roll with a fresh set of lines vs. Avalanche Sunday upon activation of key forward off IR
Photo credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks receive a major reinforcement in a forward who's been out on injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Colorado Avalanche.
Forward Jason Dickinson will be returning to the Chicago Blackhawks lineup on Sunday.
The Blackhawks have had to utilize other forwards to maintain a full forward core, with Ryan Greene and Oliver Moore occupying spots across the lineup.
The media interviewed the veteran forward pregame, and he mentioned how he felt comfortable enough to return after testing himself in the gym.
He felt that he would be able to play tonight without reaggravating his past injury.
Jeff Blashill on Dickinson's return to the lineup, per BlackhawkUp:
«I don't think he's a question mark,» he said of Dickinson. «If I did, I wouldn't have him in. If I thought there was any concern about him coming out, he probably wouldn't be in the lineup. I would say we've been very patient with him coming back here because we want to make sure when he comes in, he's not going to go back out. Does that mean he's not going to get hurt? No.
Chicago Blackhawks activate Jason Dickinson off of injury reserve
With his return to the lineup, the Blackhawks will reunite the Ilya Mikheyev, Jason Dickinson, and Ryan Donato line.
This line isn't one that's dedicated to generating scoring chances, despite us knowing that Dickinson is a former 20-goal scorer.
Instead, the 3rd line could be the one who is used to shut down Nathan MacKinnon tonight, who has scored 8 points (5-3) in the last 5 games for the Avalanche.
Dickinson will be a key piece in the Blackhawks' offense to help dig themselves out of the hole that was self-imposed. Their last game saw the team take a devastating loss, 9-3, to the Buffalo Sabres.
It will be up to the Blackhawks whether or not Dickinson's line matches up with Nathan MacKinnon and their lethal first line tonight.
Fortunately, Dickinson is healthy and will have a chance to add upon his 3 points (1-2) scored in the last 8 games played this season. The 500-game NHL veteran has seen more than his fair share of trouble this season, especially after injuring Canucks forward Filip Chytil.
Dickinson makes $4.25 million AAV (average annual value), and his contract, signed in 2024, will expire in July.
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