Anaheim Ducks (9–6–0) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (3–6–3)
7:00 p.m. CST
Homda Center
TV/Radio: NBCSN/WGN
Projected starting goaltenders
Chicago — Robin Lehner (2–2–2, .938 save percentage, 2.26 goals-against average)
Anaheim — John Gibson (6–6–0, .926 save percentage, 2.51 goals-against average)
Team statistics
Power play
Chicago (11.8%, 28th)
Anaheim (8.3%, 30th)
Penalty kill
Chicago (79.5%, 21st)
Anaheim (81.5%, 16th)
Shots for/against
Chicago
-30.3, 21st
-35.8, 30th
Anaheim
-27.7, 30th
-32.7, 22nd
Shooting percentage
Chicago (7.71%, 30th)
Anaheim (9.88%, 17th)
Face-off percentage
Chicago (48.9%, 20th)
Anaheim (52.3%, fifth)
Average height and weight
Chicago — 6-foot-1, 196 pounds
Anaheim — 6-foot-2, 203 pounds
Projected lines and pairings
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad — Jonathan Toews — Alexander Nylander
Alex DeBrincat — Dylan Strome — Patrick Kane
Dominik Kubalik — David Kampf — Kirby Dach
Drake Caggiula — Ryan Carpenter — Andrew Shaw
Duncan Keith — Adam Boqvist
Calvin de Haan — Brent Seabrook
Olli Maatta — Erik Gustafsson
Anaheim Ducks
Nick Ritchie – Ryan Getzlaf – Max Comtois
Rickard Rakell – Adam Henrique – Jakob Silfverberg
Max Jones – Sam Steel – Troy Terry
Nicolas Deslauriers – Derek Grant – Carter Rowney
Hampus Lindholm – Cam Fowler
Michael Del Zotto – Erik Gudbranson
Josh Mahura – Korbinian Holzer
Analysis
The Blackhawks carry on their west coast road trip with the back end of a back-to-back against the Anaheim Ducks. Last night, the Blackhawks played one of their more strange games as they switched goalies twice and eventually lost in overtime. Considering the concern over the shot Corey Crawford took to the dome last night, the back-to-back nature of the game, and just the overall stats, Robin Lehner is a no brainer to face the Ducks.
Blackhawks rookie Adam Boqvist made his NHL debut at the Staples Center against the Kings last night and didn’t look completely lost on the ice with Duncan Keith. He had a chance to win the game in overtime but wasn’t able to sneak the puck through Jack Campbell. He will have many more of these chances in the years to come, though, which is promising for Blackhawks fans.
There isn’t much to paise in the Blackhawks gameplay. They fall in the bottom third of the league in most statistical categories and are winless on the road this year. The Ducks, on the other hand, are 6–1–0 at home on the season and are coming off a big 2–1 overtime win against the division rival Vancouver Canucks, on Friday night.
The Ducks will be without both Ondrej Kase and Josh Manson, due to injuries. Kase is a day-to-day decision, while Manson will be out much more long term.
Can the Blackhawks muster up enough of an effort to salvage some of this road trip and get their first road won of the season or will the slide continue?
Comment below in our live game thread tonight!
And, be sure to look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game by Ron Luce right here on The-Rink.com.