It’s Been Such a Long Time: Blackhawks at Bruins Preview

Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty ImagesFor the first time since Dec. 5, 2019 — a 4-3 win in overtime — the Chicago Blackhawks will head out to the City on the Hill to face the Boston Bruins. Both teams have changed massively since that time, and it’s been almost a decade since the teams met in the Stanley Cup Final.

But some element of that bitter series may still remain, as team leadership for each club is much the same. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane remain at the fore for the Blackhawks, while Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand remain in place for the Bruins, although much of the teams have changed behind them, including twin departures of long-time leading defensemen in Duncan…