The Blackhawks play at American Airlines Arena tonight against division and playoff position rival, the Dallas Stars. The Hawks also try to push their win streak to 6 games.
Chicago Blackhawks (17-11-5) at Dallas Stars (18-14-3)
7:30PM Central
RADIO: WGN 720
TV: NBC Sports Chicago/Fox Sports Southwest
PROJECTED GOALIES:
Chicago:
Corey Crawford (16-7-2, 2.11 GAA, .935 save%)
Dallas:
Ben Bishop (13-9-2, 2.76 GAA, .908 save%)
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
Chicago
Saad-Toews-DeBrincat
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Hartman-Hinostroza-Panik
Bouma-Wingels-Hayden
Keith-Oesterle
Forsling-Murphy
Kempny-Seabrook
Dallas
Benn-Seguin-Shore
Janmark-Spezza-Radulov
Roussel-Faksa-Pitlick
Elie-Hanzal-Smith
Lindell-Klingberg
Hamhuis-Pateryn
Johns-Honka
STATISTICAL COMPARISONS:
Power play:
Chicago 14.2% (28th)
Dallas 19.0% (17th)
Penalty kill:
Chicago 83.5% (4th)
Dallas 81.0% (16th)
Corsi For % (5-on-5):
Chicago 52.3% (8th)
Dallas 52.9% (6th)
Faceoffs:
Chicago 48.6% (24th)
Dallas 51.9% (6h)
SUMMARY:
When the Hawks last saw the Stars, 19 days ago, Chicago was struggling. The stakes tonight are the same: an incredibly valuable two points up for grabs between two teams vying for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Chicago, Dallas and Minnesota are all logjammed at 39 points a piece. The Hawks have played 33 games and are therefore the first wildcard today. Minnesota is the second wildcard, by virtue of having of playing 34 games. Dallas is just out of the playoff picture this morning, with 35 games played.
The Hawks come in tonight riding a 5-game win streak; Dallas has lost three straight. All that said, I would expect a supreme effort by the Stars tonight.
We’ll recap tonight or tomorrow AM.
Scroll down this page right now and join the conversation! Register for our message boards today.
Follow: @jaeckel