Blackhawks forward Oliver Moore returns to lineup after benching

Chicago Blackhawks forward Oliver Moore returned to the lineup Tuesday night following a healthy scratch on Sunday. He played alongside Frank Nazar and Patrick Kane on the third line during a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center.

Head coach Jeff Blashill benched Moore before the game against the Florida Panthers. Blashill cited a specific play from the previous week against the Montreal Canadiens, where Moore attempted a low-percentage pass in the offensive zone. The puck was intercepted, leading to a goal for Montreal later in the shift. Blashill said the benching was intended to send a message to Moore and the rest of the team about avoiding self-inflicted mistakes.

Moore watched instructional video of that play over the weekend. He acknowledged his tendency to look for passes into the slot despite heavy traffic. "Your eyes get lit up if you see a play going into the slot..[and] I think I'm a player who can make plays," Moore said. "But I just have to find a better balance."

The new line combination produced immediate results on Tuesday. Moore, Nazar, and Kane outshot the Kings 10-1 during their time on the ice. Patrick Kane noted that the speed of Moore and Nazar pushed the Kings' defense back, creating space for teammates. "[Moore and Nazar] can create so much with their speed," Kane said.

Blashill praised Moore's reaction to the benching. He stated that people who have worked with Moore consistently describe him as self-accountable. "He can shake [mistakes] off and go back at it," Blashill said.

Moore was on the ice for Wyatt Kaiser's game-winning goal but did not record a point. He has two goals and one assist in 11 games this season. Moore said he has improved his ability to use his speed in open ice. "I've done a better job getting into areas to use my speed, picking out holes," he said. He added that his focus now is on using his feet effectively in the offensive zone to pressure opponents.