Chicago Blackhawks (27-28-8) @ San Jose Sharks (34-21-9)
9:00PM Central
RADIO: WGN 720
PROJECTED GOALIES:
Chicago:
Jean-Francois Berube (1-0-0, 1.71 GAA, .947 Save%)
San Jose:
Martin Jones (20-16-6, 2.51 GAA, .917 Save%)
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
Chicago:
Saad-Toews-Hinostroza
Jurco-Anisimov -Kane
DeBrincat-Schmaltz-HIghmore
Sharp-Kampf-Duclair
Keith-Oesterle
Murphy-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Rutta
San Jose:
Meier-Pavelski-Donskoi
Hertl-Couture-Labanc
Boedker-Tierney-Hansen
Goodrow-Fehr-Karlsson
Ryan-Burns
Vlasic-Braun
Dillon-Demelo
STATISTICAL COMPARISIONS:
Power Play:
Chicago 15.5% (29th)
San Jose 21.3% (T-6th)
Penalty Kill:
Chicago 82.3% (12th)
San Jose 84.4% (1st)
Corsi FOR % (5-on-5):
Chicago 53.41% (3rd)
San Jose 51.17% (13th)
Faceoffs:
Chicago 49.4% (T-18th)
San Jose 51.3% (8th)
SUMMARY:
Now starts the future for the Blackhawks. After trading Ryan Hartman and Tommy Wingels at Monday’s trade deadline, the Blackhawks are officially looking ahead to next season and beyond. But where does that leaves this year’s team?
I’m not sure “tanking” is a thing in hockey, but that’s hopefully that’s the route the Hawks take the rest of this season. Bettering their draft position would be the best thing to do for the overall health of the franchise. What that means for this season is playing young players, finding out what you have throughout your system, both AHL and NHL, and maybe even resting some of your “core” players. Maybe Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane or Duncan Keith sit in a random road game here or there. That is completely speculative of course, but it allows room for the young players to get minutes, rests the older guys, and helps the cause for a better draft pick.
Speaking of young players, Matthew Highmore will make his NHL debut tonight on the third line with Nick Schmaltz and Alex DeBrincat. It will be a good opportunity for the youngster to make a good first impression.
The Sharks on the other hand, have been OK lately. They are battling for a playoff spot, and will come out ready to play. In the previous matchup between these two opponents on February 23, the Blackhawks won 3-1.
We’ll recap tonight or tomorrow AM. Join the conversation below!
Follow: @CoachMajewski
Interesting 3rd line.
No Evander Kane in the lineup for SJ?
Sharks twitter has Kane up on the first line. According to them the lines are :
Kane – Pavelski – Donskoi
Boedker – Coutoure – Hertl
Meier – Tierney – LaBanc
Sorenson – Goodrow – Karlsson
Ryan – Burns
Vlasic – Braun
Dillon – Demelo
At least I have a reason to watch-See how the new guy does. Otherwise, it would be beddy-bye
The opening jousting between Kane and Highmore on the faceoff is what makes hockey so much fun. First shift in the league and he gets tested by a vet