7:30pm CST
United Center
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN

PROJECTED STARTERS

Chicago – Collin Delia (6–3–3, SV%: .916, GAA: 3.22)
Ottawa – Craig Anderson (14–17–3, SV%: .904, GAA: 3.55)

TEAM STATISTICS

Power Play
Chicago (21.2%, 12th)
Ottawa (21.7%, T10th)

Penalty Kill
Chicago (73.4%, 31st)
Ottawa (77.4%, 26th)

Shorts for/against
Chicago (31.7, 16th; 35.3, 30th)
Ottawa (30.1, 22nd; 36.3, 31st)

Shooting %
Chicago (10.2%, 9th)
Ottawa (10.2%, 8th)

Faceoff %
Chicago (49.8%, 17th)
Ottawa (50.1%, T15th)

Avg. height/weight
Chicago 6’1”, 195lbs
Ottawa 6’2” 200lbs

PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS

Chicago Blackhawks

Drake Caggiula–Jonathan Toews–Patrick Kane

Alex DeBrincat–Dylan Strome–Dominik Kahun

Brandon Saad–Artem Anisimov–Dylan Sikura

Chris Kunitz–Marcus Kruger–John Hayden

Duncan Keith–Brent Seabrook

Carl Dahlstrom–Connor Murphy

Slater Koekkoek–Erik Gustafsson

Ottawa Senators

Ryan Dzingel–Matt Duchene–Bobby Ryan

Brady Tkachuk–Colin White–Mark Stone

Zack Smith–Jean-Gabriel Pageau–Magnus Paajarvi

Darren Archibald–Chris Tierney–Rudolfs Balcers

Thomas Chabot–Dylan DeMelo

Maxime Lajoie–Cody Ceci

Ben Harpur–Christian Jaros

Analysis

In their third-straight Eastern Conference game, the Blackhawks fell to Artemi Panarin and the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2. Despite the loss, Patrick Kane extended his point streak to 17 games, scoring 35 points over that time span. Kane is currently on pace for 123 points if he plays all 82 games this season.

The loss did not do the Blackhawks any favors in the playoff race. They are three points back of the second wild card spot, with four teams to leapfrog. At the same time, they are only five points from the basement of the Western Conference. It will be interesting to see what the Blackhawks do between now and the deadline. Ideally, they sell a few pieces for assets or stand-pat. Overpaying for assets right now could prove more destructive to this team long-term than helpful.

The Ottawa Senators are the worst team in hockey. Only a few years removed from being a final-four team, the franchise has imploded with ownership issues, roster issues and a lack of willingness to spend. Ottawa currently sits in last place in the entire league, but also does not have their first-round pick, which is owned by the Colorado Avalanche due to the Matt Duchene trade. Ottawa could in theory win the draft lottery, and never see Jack Hughes in a Senators jersey. That has to hurt.

Speaking of Matt Duchene, it was reported yesterday that Duchene will likely be traded before the deadline. Mark Stone, who is also a pending UFA, could possibly be traded before the deadline as well. The reports are that Stone’s fate will be determined in the next week or so.  

Comment below in our live game thread tonight!

And look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game tomorrow morning on the-rink.com.

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