7:30pm Central, 5:30pm Mountain

United Center

TV/Radio: NBCSCH, FS-A/WGN

PROJECTED GOALIES:

Chicago:

Corey Crawford (.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA)

Arizona:

Antti Raanta (.903 SV%, 2.22 GAA)

Team statistics:

Power Play

Chicago (11.1%, T-24)

Arizona (13.3%, 23)

Penalty Kill

Chicago (64.7%, T-28)

Arizona (91.7%, 5)

Shots for/against per game

Chicago (36.8, 3 – 34.6, 26)

Arizona (35.6, 5 – 24.2, 1)

Shooting%

Chicago (12.0%, 8)

Arizona (1.7%, 31)

Faceoff%

Chicago (49.0%, 21)

Arizona (54.9%, 2)

Avg. height/weight

Chicago

6’1” 195lbs

Arizona

6’1” 196lbs

PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:

Chicago

DeBrincat – Toews – Kahun

Saad – Schmaltz – Kane

Kunitz – Anisimov – Hayden

Kruger – Johnson – Kampf

Keith – Jokiharju

Gustafsson – Seabrook

Manning – Rutta

Arizona

Panik – Stepan – Keller

Perlini – Strome – Fischer

Grabner – Richardson – Hinostroza

Crouse – Cousins – Archibald

Ekmann-Larsson – Demers

Goligoski – Hjalmarsson

Connauton – Oesterle

Analysis:

If there is a team for the Chicago Blackhawks to feast on at this pint in time, it is the Arizona Coyotes.  The Coyotes have potted a measly three goals in five games, while the Blackhawks have averaged surrendering 34.6 shots per game.

Is this the game the Blackhawks finally give up less than three goals, or the game that the Coyotes finally break their slump?

Arizona’s inept offense should allow Corey Crawford, making his first start since December, a chance to get comfortable in net. Crawford’s presence behind a shaky defense could be a breath of fresh air. However, ten months without game activity can be difficult for any player, especially a netminder.

Joel Quenneville teased healthy scratching a struggling Brandon Saad at practice on Tuesday, but it looks like this was all a motivational tactic.

Antti Raanta starts in goal for the Coyotes. The 29-year old Raanta was part of the 2015 Stanley Cup team in Chicago.

Comment below in our live game thread tonight!

And look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game later tonight or early tomorrow on the-rink.com. 

The post Preview/Game Thread: Coyotes at Blackhawks appeared first on The Rink.