CHICAGO - Fredrik Claesson passed his first test, but this one promises to be much, much tougher.
In his NHL debut at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday, the 23-year-old former fifth-round pick received glowing reviews for his 12:20 of work, which started and included a number of other shifts alongside two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.
The opponents were the New Jersey Devils, who average a league-low 24.9 shots on goal per game and against the Senators scored twice in the first period then went into a defensive shell.
Defending against them won’t be nearly the same as going into a loud United Center Sunday night against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, who by utilizing their own blue liners on the attack are hockey’s equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters.