The Blackhawks’ surging confidence and 4 game winning streak gets put to another test tonight at the United Center, versus Central Division rival Minnesota.
Minnesota Wild (17-12-3) at Chicago Blackhawks (16-11-5)
6PM Central
RADIO: WGN 720
TV: NBC Sports Chicago/Fox Sports North
PROJECTED GOALIES:
Minnesota:
Alex Stalock (5-4-1, 2.66 GAA, .915 SV%)
Chicago:
Corey Crawford (15-7-2, 2.15 GAA, .934 SV%)
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
Minnesota
Niederreiter-Koivu-Granlund
Zucker-Staal-Coyle
Foligno-Coyle-Eriksson Ek
Ennis-Winnik-Stewart
Suter-Spurgeon
Brodin-Dumba
Reilly-Prosser
Chicago
Saad-Toews-DeBrincat
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp-Hinostroza-Hartman
Bouma-Wingels-Hayden
Keith-Oesterle
Forsling-Murphy
Kempny-Seabrook
STATISTICAL COMPARISONS:
Power play:
Minnesota 20.7% (8th)
Chicago 14.8% (28th)
Penalty kill:
Minnesota 83.7% (4th)
Chicago 83.2% (7th)
Corsi For % (5-on-5)
Minnesota 46.4% (30th)
Chicago 52.1% (9th)
Faceoffs:
Minnesota 49.7% (18th)
Chicago 48.7% (23rd)
SUMMARY:
Testament to how strong and deep the Central Division is this year, the Hawks and Wild faceoff tonight at 5th and 6th respectively—both with 37 points. Chicago beat the Wild earlier in the season in St. Paul, and there’s more than the usual subtext to this Wild-Hawks game as a result.
In that game, Hawk forward John Hayden broke a bone in the face of Minnesota tough guy Marcus Foligno in a long and entertaining fight. As a result Foligno may be looking for a rematch, in order to regain his reputation as “not to be messed with.” Which in an otherwise evenly matched game, might be a tactical error as far as what’s on the scoreboard.
Regardless, Chicago skaters should probably keep their heads on a swivel a bit more than usual, and their emotions in check. Besides, the Hawks are trying to keep a 4-game win streak alive, coming off a fairly convincing win over Winnipeg on the road in their last outing. This is yet another game where playing well, much less taking two points, would do a lot for the Hawks’ confidence going forward. Even without star forward Zach Parise, Minnesota is still a dangerous opponent, especially strong on the blueline.
A key for Chicago tonight may simply be staying out of the penalty box. The Wild are pretty good on the power play, and fairly mediocre in 5-on-5 possession.
We’ll recap tonight or tomorrow AM.
Follow: @jaeckel