Chicago Blackhawks (28-29-8) at Anaheim Ducks (32-21-12)
3PM Central/1 PM Pacific
RADIO: WGN 720
TV: NBC Sports Chicago
PROJECTED GOALIES:
Chicago:
JF Berube (1-1-0, 3.75 GAA, .894 Save%)
Anaheim:
Ryan Miller (8-5-6, 2.52 GAA, .925 Save%)
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
Chicago:
Saad-Toews-Kane
Jurco-Anisimov-Duclair
DeBrincat-Schmaltz-Hinostroza
Sharp-Kampf-Highmore
Keith-Murphy
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Oesterle
Anaheim:
Rakell-Grant-Perry
Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg
Ritchie-Henrique-Kase
Chimera-Vermette-Kelly
Fowler-Montour
Lindholm-Beauchemin
Petterson-Manson
STATISTICAL COMPARISIONS:
Power Play:
Chicago 15.9% (29th)
Anaheim 17.6% (24th)
Penalty Kill:
Chicago 82.6% (10th)
Anaheim 82.8% (7th)
Faceoffs:
Chicago 49.4% (18th)
Anaheim 51.3% (8th)
SUMMARY:
The strange calculus of NHL season’s end: the Hawks would love to move up in the draft lottery, while the Ducks are desperately trying to solidify playoff position—yet both teams will make some (relative) effort to win today.
The Hawks came to life yesterday afternoon after the second period versus the LA Kings, coming away with a somewhat unlikely 5-3 victory after scoring 3 third period goals.
As bad as this season has been for Chicago (and Hawk fans), there is enough talent on this roster for games like yesterday’s to happen now and then.
JF Berube is the likely starter today, and if there’s any truth to the theory floated recently that he and Anton Forsberg are in competition for the Hawks’ backup goalie job next season, then Berube needs a much better outing today than in his last versus San Jose.
We’ll recap tonight or tomorrow AM. Join the conversation below!