Two rookies demoted ahead of matchup against Maple Leafs

The Chicago Blackhawks are playing their second game in 24 hours tonight on home ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They lost in the shootout to the Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday by a score of 3-2. They will look to bounce back against the Leafs tonight.

A few changes have been made to the Blackhawks line combinations ahead of this evening's matchup. The most notable change is that, after starting on the 2nd line then being moved down to the 3rd line, rookie forward Kirby Dach will now be playing center on Chicago's 4th offensive line alongside Andrew Shaw and Zack Smith, effectively replacing Ryan Carpenter who is set to be a healthy scratch tonight. 

Dominik Kubalik is the one who will step back into the lineup in the stead of Carpenter. Kubalik will be back on the 3rd line alongside Drake Caggiula and David Kampf. Some may say that Chicago's 4th line has the look of a 3rd line, more so than the Blackhawks' actual 3rd line.

On defense, rookie Adam Boqvist, not unlike Dach will also be facing demotion as he switches spots in the lineup with Erik Gustafsson, going from the 1st pair to the 3rd pair.

As the Blackhawks play the second of two back-to-back games, Corey Crawford who started yesterday's match will get a rest. Robin Lehner will be the starting netminder for the Blackhawks tonight.

Here is Chicago's projected lineup for tonight's game against the Leafs according to DailyFaceoff.com:

Forwards:

Alexander Nylander - Jonathan Toews - Brandon Saad

Alex DeBrincat - Dylan Strome - Patrick Kane

Drake Caggiula - David Kampf - Dominik Kubalik

Zack Smith - Kirby Dach - Andrew Shaw

Defensemen:

Erik Gustafsson - Duncan Keith

Calvin de Haan - Brent Seabrook

Olli Maata - Adam Boqvist

Goaltenders:

Robin Lehner

Corey Crawford

The Leafs lived an almost identical scenario as the Blackhawks yesterday as they lost 3-2 in the shootout to the other Pennsylvania team, the Philadelphia Flyers. They are consequently also playing their second of two back-to-back games.

It should be a great one between two hungry, albeit gassed teams.