Lukas Reichel played his first game of the season for the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night after not being in the lineup for the team’s first four games.
Reichel was on the ice for 8 and a half minutes during Chicago’s 4-2 win against San Jose in their home opener. He played as the center for the fourth line in his 100th career game, teaming up with veteran players Pat Maroon and Craig Smith.
Coach Luke Richardson said he thought Reichel had some good moments.
“I thought he was, you know, hard in the face-off circle,” Richardson said. “He blocked a shot in the third period, and he was really showing initiative to take hard strides out there, whether it was tracking back, which helps our (defense), or on the offense and on the forecheck. So it was a good start for him.”
Before the game against the Sharks, Chicago also placed Alec Martinez on injured reserve. They recalled defenseman Isaak Phillips from Rockford of the AHL.
Martinez, who played in the first four games, is dealing with a right groin injury. He signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Blackhawks during free agency.
“I think a groin strain is what they listed it as,” Richardson said. “It’s been kind of nagging for a while, and then last game, just kind of reaggravated it a bit. So we have to just give him time.”
Richardson did not provide updates on goaltender Laurent Brossoit and defenseman Artyom Levshunov. Brossoit had meniscus surgery on his right knee on August 27. Levshunov, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NHL draft, is recovering from a right foot injury.
“Both of them are just not ready to join the team in practice yet, but have been on the ice,” Richardson said, “and will be back on the ice after a day or two off. I think they’ve been going pretty hard, and that’s all I know there.”
