Jeff Blashill finally gave Blackhawks rookie forward Nick Lardis an opportunity on the second line Sunday, and Lardis promptly rewarded his faith.
"That was Nick’s best game since he’s been up," Blashill said after the Hawks' 3-2 overtime loss to the Predators.
Lardis scored his sixth goal of the season on a second-period rush when his attempted pass to Frank Nazar deflected in off Nicolas Hague.
The Hawks also controlled play during most of his shifts with Nazar and Bertuzzi, outshooting the Predators 6-3. His total ice time (13:28) still wasn't enormous, but it was nonetheless the highest it has been during his second NHL stint.
"I just want to show my strengths when I get that opportunity," Lardis said. "I thought I was skating pretty well tonight, [and] we generated a decent amount of chances."
Blashill has pushed Lardis to instinctively move his feet whenever he gets the puck, and the coach agreed he took a step forward with that Sunday.
GOAL: Nick Lardis' pass deflects in to open the scoring! pic.twitter.com/8FrTiLN78P
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) March 22, 2026
Frondell coming
The Hawks and top prospect Anton Frondell are working out flight logistics to get him over to North America. He could make his NHL debut as soon as Tuesday at the Islanders.
"Based on the level of play he's had all year, how well he played the last part of the year and the fact there's zero practice time this time of year, I'm going to throw him into the fire," Blashill said.
Blashill later said he would like to give rookie forward Ryan Greene some time at center down the stretch, which implies Frondell could take Greene's spot on Connor Bedard's line.
That would mean Andre Burakovsky, who has become a lightning rod for fan criticism due to Blashill's endless support of him despite his mere two points in his last 26 games, would keep his first-line spot alongside Bedard and Frondell.
Grzelcyk injured
Louis Crevier returned to the Hawks' lineup Sunday after missing Frida
