San Jose Sharks (38–19–8) vs Chicago Blackhawks (27–29–9)
9:00PM CST
SAP Center
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN
PROJECTED STARTERS
Chicago – CAM WARD (14–10–4, SV%: .893, GAA: 3.71)
San Jose – MARTIN JONES (30–13–0, SV%: .896, GAA: 2.95)
TEAM STATISTICS
Power Play
Chicago (22.2% – 10th)
San Jose (25.3% – 4th)
Penalty Kill
Chicago (72.6% – 31st)
San Jose (81.4% – 10th)
Shorts for/against
Chicago (32.1 – 14th, 35.0 – 30th)
San Jose (33.8 – 3rd, 28.4 – 2nd)
Shooting %
Chicago (10.4% – 8th)
San Jose (10.6% – 5th)
Faceoff %
Chicago (49.6% – 19th)
San Jose (50.9% – 10th)
Avg. height/weight
Chicago 6’1”, 195lbs
San Jose 6’0″, 199lbs
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Strome – Dominik Kahun
Brendan Perlini – Artem Anisimov – Dylan Sikura
Chris Kunitz – Marcus Kruger – John Hayden
Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling – Connor Murphy
Slater Koekkoek – Erik Gustafsson
San Jose Sharks
Timo Meier – Logan Couture – Joe Pavelski
Kevin Labanc – Tomas Hertl – Joonas Donskoi
Marcus Sorensen – Joe Thornton – Gustav Nyquist
Micheal Haley – Barclay Goodrow – Melker Karlsson
Brenden Dillon – Brent Burns
Tim Heed – Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Radim Simek – Justin Braun
Analysis
After a deflating loss in matinée action yesterday against the Kings, the Blackhawks head to northern California to face the Western Conference’s second best team, the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks are near the top in most basic statistical offensive and defensive categories, which could prove to be difficult for the Blackhawks. While the Sharks have one of the most potent offensive teams, they also have one of the league’s most stingy defensive teams.
Where the Blackhawks can take advantage is the goaltending. Martin Jones has been one of the worst starting goalies in the NHL, in 5v5 save percentage (.896). Even though the Sharks give up only 28.4 shots a game, they still allow almost three goals a game on average. If Jeremy Colliton‘s team can put up three or more goals, they will have a solid shot at surprising the Sharks.
This, of course, is dependent on the Blackhawks continuing a recent trend toward allowing less shots against (versus the season as a whole), as they have given up 35 or less in their last 5 games (35-31-29-32-25).
San Jose has been without forward Evander Kane and defenseman Erik Karlsson. These huge absences could loom large for the Sharks tonight.
By the way, the Sharks boast one of the better home records in the NHL this season at 20-5-5.
Back in December, the Sharks took the outmatched Blackhawks apart, 7-3. Both starting goaltenders were pulled, but it was the Sharks who eventually opened the flood gates.
Game note: Sharks defenseman Brent Burns comes into this contest with a 454 game iron-man streak.