The Blackhawks weren’t the only team adding to their win total Tuesday night.

The Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of Chicago, picked up a crucial 6-3 win over the Chicago Wolves. With the victory, they move three points ahead of Chicago in the standings with just three games left in the season.

Standings

With five teams from the AHL’s Central Division making it to the Calder Cup playoffs, the IceHogs came into the game clinging to the fifth seed, one point ahead of Chicago. With the standings so tight, the Blackhawks decided to designate forward Lukas Reichel and defenseman Alex Vlasic for assignment in hopes that they could reinforce the Rockford roster.

Alex Vlasic

Vlasic didn’t miss a beat in his return to Rockford, his first since March 24. He logged a nice power-play assist midway through the second period with one shot. He boasted a plus-minus of +2 and is clearly a valuable asset to the IceHogs as they push toward the playoffs.

Lukas Reichel

In his first game since March 1, Lukas Reichel also logged an assist. His line was +1 on the game. It was clear he was the best player on the ice, and should also help Rockford increase their chances of a championship significantly.

Reichel, 20, played in 23 NHL games with the Blackhawks this season. He’s registered 15 points in that time and has been a bright spot on a team without many. He came into the league in order to fight for a roster spot, but temporarily leaves it now as one of the team’s biggest leaders, with his confidence clearly showing as his game improves.

With the conclusion of his second NHL season, Vlasic has logged 21 career games at hockey’s top level. He played in his first game in March of last year and ended up playing in 15 games with two points in that season. This year, he had one assist over six games after being called up near the end of March.

A Win-Win?

The act of sending down two young Blackhawks serves multiple purposes. First, it makes it harder to win games at the NHL level. Reichel in particular has been a leader on the ice, and his absence hurts their chances of winning. Thus, it makes it easier for Chicago to fall in the standings, improving their odds of landing a higher pick.

Additionally, a push for the playoffs gives these young players valuable postseason experience. Familiarity with high-pressure situations is crucial for players that hope to one day compete for a Stanley Cup. Every game counts for these players, so prolonging their season into the playoffs never hurts. With the IceHogs fighting for every win to close the season, Vlasic and Reichel provide reinforcements while also gaining valuable experience.