Couture may be shut down for the final few games of the season due to a lower-body injury. With Couture out on Friday, Alexander True will draw back into the lineup and Patrick Marleau will move into the top-6.

The 2017 No.17 overall pick has scored two goals with seven assists (nine points) in 14 games. Liljegren will replace Jake Muzzin, who will be given a maintenance evening. Liljegren has one assist in 11 career NHL games.

Kurashev surprisingly goes from the top line to the press box on Thursday. Adam Gaudette will replace him in the lineup and Pius Suter will likely replace him on the top line.

Gaudette had one assist in 7:39 TOI in his Blackhawks debut on April 19th but sat out for the last three games. He will replace Philip Kurashev in the lineup on Thursday and will likely skate on the third line with Dylan Strome.

Thursday will be Kaut's 11th career NHL game and second of the 2021 season. Kaut will draw in because both Mikko Rantanen and Joonas Donskoi are on the COVID-19 protocol list. The 21-year-old has two goals and one assist in his first 10 NHL games and has 14 points (5G / 9A) in 13 AHL games this season.