Analyzing Blackhawks' forward lines, defense pairings to start the season

In the Blackhawks’ final practice before their regular-season opener Tuesday, coach Luke Richardson made a last-second switch Monday.

Ilya Mikheyev’s promotion to the first line next to Connor Bedard — despite not playing with him at all during the preseason — came as a surprise.

Here’s an analysis of the forward lines and defense pairings the Hawks will use to start the season in Utah:

Forward lines

Ilya Mikheyev — Connor Bedard — Teuvo Teravainen

Bedard mostly skated with the Hawks’ two highest-profile summer additions — Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi — during the preseason, but they didn’t fare particularly well together.

Mikheyev had a stronger preseason, and he has been rewarded for it. Richardson said he wants to see Mikheyev use his speed on the forecheck.

Taylor Hall — Philipp Kurashev — Tyler Bertuzzi

The second-line center spot was a question mark entering training camp, and Frank Nazar’s just-OK performance and subsequent assignment to Rockford opened the door for Kurashev to claim it and keep a top-six role. Finding a niche for Bertuzzi, a former 30-goal scorer himself, must be a high priority for Richardson.

Nick Foligno — Jason Dickinson — Joey Anderson

This trio makes sense as the Hawks’ checking line. Dickinson and Anderson developed chemistry together last season and delivered great defensive results, and Foligno fits well stylistically next to them. In the 116 minutes the three spent together during five-on-five play last season, they outscored opponents 8-4.

Pat Maroon — Ryan Donato — Craig Smith

Donato and Smith were two of the Hawks’ most consistent preseason performers, cementing their roster spots. Maroon is a veteran who will have to flip a switch in the regular season.

Meanwhile, Lukas Reichel and Andreas Athanasiou will be healthy scratches for opening night. Reichel’s exclusion from the lineup is concerning but unsurprising. Richardson said the Hawks weren’t ‘‘totally convinced’’ by his camp performance.

Defense pairings

Alec Martinez — Seth Jones

Throughout camp, Richardson seemed keen on starting Martinez with Jones and Alex Vlasic with T.J. Brodie, in spite of those duos’ relatively infrequent preseason reps together and Vlasic’s success with Jones last season.

This role will be a test for Martinez’s endurance, considering he’s 37 and missed some days of camp with a minor injury. He has averaged at least 19 minutes per game in each of the last 10 seasons, though.

Alex Vlasic — T.J. Brodie

Vlasic and Brodie both being left-handed shots required some adjustments, although Brodie is experienced playing his off (right) side. Vlasic said he feels ‘‘more confident and more comfortable’’ than he did as a rookie.

Nolan Allan — Connor Murphy

Allan will make his NHL debut Tuesday next to Murphy, the Hawks’ longest-tenured player. Allan’s work last season in Rockford on improving his passing out of the defensive zone will be tested, but the 21-year-old former first-round pick is physically ready for the NHL.

Meanwhile, Wyatt Kaiser, who returned to practice Monday, might return to action late in the season-opening road trip or shortly thereafter. Isaak Phillips cleared waivers Monday but stuck on the roster as the healthy extra defenseman.

Goaltenders

Petr Mrazek — Arvid Soderblom

Mrazek will have to prove he can repeat the impressive .907 save percentage he had last season behind the Hawks’ shoddy defense.

Soderblom might have to make a start in the Hawks’ back-to-back set this weekend against the Jets and Oilers, but newly signed ‘‘1B’’ goalie Laurent Brossoit — who missed all of camp while recovering from meniscus surgery — might be ready to return shortly after that.