The big storyline in Chicago is Bedard's shoulder, and it isn't decided yet. As of this week he had been a partial participant in 3 straight practices, all in a non-contact jersey, about 3 months after left shoulder surgery. The Hawks haven't said when he'll have the exam that could clear him for contact. Frank Seravalli has him within 3 weeks of being cleared, which would be earlier than the original November target. Saturday would come before almost any reasonable version of that timeline, but treat his status as open until the club says otherwise.
Both teams played on October 8, so Carolina travels from Raleigh and Chicago comes home from Long Island, and both get a day off in between. Who starts in goal for Carolina is still unknown. Pyotr Kochetkov relieved in the Vancouver win and allowed 2 goals, both to Jake DeBrusk. Whoever starts will face a Chicago team that has scored 1 goal or fewer in 2 of its last 3 games.
Carolina has its own absences. Seth Jarvis is on the injured non-roster list with a shoulder injury, and Alexander Nikishin is out on defense. So far the depth scoring has covered for them, with Stankoven and Svechnikov producing on special teams. Chicago's are worse: losing their 2 best centres in Bedard and Teravainen leaves the middle of the ice thin against one of the league's toughest forechecking teams. Until Bedard is back, the Hawks will have to win close, low-scoring games, and Carolina's last 3 haven't been low-scoring.