With the long seven-game homestand now finished, the Chicago Blackhawks (4-8-0) face the Detroit Red Wings (5-4-3) at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, marking their first road game in 21 days. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+, Disney+, and HULU.

Thursday marks the first of two meetings between the Blackhawks and Red Wings this season, with the finale scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027, at the United Center. Thursday will also be Patrick Kane’s first trip back to Detroit since departing the organization this summer to sign with the Blackhawks. Kane is one assist shy of becoming the 21st player in NHL history with 900 career assists, and it would be only fitting if he achieved the milestone against his former club.

The Blackhawks are coming off a much-needed 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, snapping a three-game losing skid. The power play also broke a 0-for-17 drought, with Roman Kantserov converting on the man advantage for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Wyatt Kaiser scored the game-winning tally in the third period, while Spencer Knight stopped 25 of 26 shots. Despite the outcome, the Hawks have scored only four goals over their last four games.

In their last outing on Monday, the Red Wings defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in a shootout, finishing 2-1-1 during a four-game road trip. Viktor Arvidsson (PP), Emmitt Finnie, and Dylan Larkin scored in regulation, while Lucas Raymond netted the shootout winner. Michael Postava stopped 24 of 27 shots to record the win in his NHL debut.

Despite the turmoil surrounding the Red Wings early this season, with Larkin and Simon Edvinsson involved in trade rumors, Detroit is off to a respectable start, with 13 points in 12 games. They’ve won four of their last six games entering Thursday and have earned a point in seven of their past eight.

However, a new situation has unfolded ahead of Thursday’s matchup. Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan told reporters after the morning skate that Larkin will not play against the Blackhawks. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff is expected to address the situation at a press conference. It appears Larkin will remain out of Detroit’s lineup until a trade is finalized.

Without Larkin, the Blackhawks must capitalize and keep the momentum going to start their dad’s trip. They need to rack up points after accruing only eight through their first 12 games.

Here’s everything else to know before the puck drops at 6:30 p.m. CT in Detroit.

Blackhawks Projected Lineup

Teuvo Teravainen — Connor Bedard — Roman Kantserov

Tyler Bertuzzi — Anton Frondell — Ryan Donato

Oliver Moore — Frank Nazar — Patrick Kane

Cole Smith — Ryan Greene — Jordan Greenway

Wyatt Kaiser — Artyom Levshunov

Ethan Del Mastro* — Ian Cole

Kevin Korchinski — Sam Rinzel

F — Andrew Mangiapane

D — Bowen Byram (upper body), D — Alex Vlasic (illness)*

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The Blackhawks are expected to use the same forward lines as late in Tuesday’s win over Los Angeles. Teuvo Teravainen replaced Ryan Greene on the top line with Connor Bedard and Roman Kantserov in the third period against the Kings, and he’ll remain in that spot. Greene will center the fourth line with Cole Smith and Jordan Greenway.

Alex Vlasic wasn’t on the ice for the morning skate and is questionable against the Red Wings due to illness. If Vlasic doesn’t play, Ethan Del Mastro will draw into the lineup on the second defensive pairing with Ian Cole.

Bowen Byram wore a non-contact sweater at the morning skate, signaling that he’ll miss his sixth straight game with an upper-body injury.

Red Wings Projected Lineup

Alex DeBrincat — Emmitt Finnie — Viktor Arvidsson

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard — Andrew Copp — Lucas Raymond

Michael Rasmussen — Nate Danielson — J.T. Compher

Carter Mazur — Keegan Kolesar

Ben Chiarot — Moritz Seider

William Wallinder — Justin Faulk

Andreas Englund — Anton Johansson

Axel Sandin-Pellikka

F — Dylan Larkin

F — Mason Appleton (undisclosed), D — Albert Johansson (undisclosed), F — Marco Kasper (upper body)

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The Red Wings are expected to use an 11-forward, seven-defensemen lineup with Larkin scratched. Axel Sandin-Pellikka is projected to be the seventh defenseman after being healthy-scratched in the previous three games.

Projected Goaltending Matchup

Knight will make his eighth straight start and 11th of the season for the Blackhawks. The 25-year-old stopped 25 of 26 shots in his last start on Tuesday, recording the win over Los Angeles. Knight is 1-0-0 with a 0.74 GAA and .974 Sv% in two career games against Detroit.

Gibson will make his ninth start of the season for the Red Wings. The 33-year-old veteran allowed four goals on 25 shots in his last start on Saturday, earning the loss against Calgary. Gibson is 7-10-1 with a 3.27 GAA, .896 Sv%, and three shutouts in 19 career games against Chicago.

2025-26 Results vs. Red Wings

The Blackhawks and Red Wings split the two meetings last season, with both teams winning on the road. Chicago’s win in Detroit last November was its first win over the Red Wings since Oct. 21, 2022, snapping a five-game losing streak.