Preview: Blackhawks at Stars

  

The Blackhawks play at American Airlines Arena tonight against division and playoff position rival, the Dallas Stars. The Hawks also try to push their win streak to 6 games.

 

Chicago Blackhawks (17-11-5) at Dallas Stars (18-14-3)

7:30PM Central

RADIO: WGN 720

TV: NBC Sports Chicago/Fox Sports Southwest

 

PROJECTED GOALIES:

Chicago:

Corey Crawford (16-7-2, 2.11 GAA, .935 save%)

Dallas:

Ben Bishop (13-9-2, 2.76 GAA, .908 save%)

 

PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:

Chicago

Saad-Toews-DeBrincat

Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane

Hartman-Hinostroza-Panik

Bouma-Wingels-Hayden

Keith-Oesterle

Forsling-Murphy

Kempny-Seabrook

Dallas

Benn-Seguin-Shore

Janmark-Spezza-Radulov

Roussel-Faksa-Pitlick

Elie-Hanzal-Smith

Lindell-Klingberg

Hamhuis-Pateryn

Johns-Honka

 

STATISTICAL COMPARISONS:

Power play:

Chicago 14.2% (28th)

Dallas 19.0% (17th)

Penalty kill:

Chicago 83.5% (4th)

Dallas 81.0% (16th)

Corsi For % (5-on-5):

Chicago 52.3% (8th)

Dallas 52.9% (6th)

Faceoffs:

Chicago 48.6% (24th)

Dallas 51.9% (6h)

 

SUMMARY:

When the Hawks last saw the Stars, 19 days ago, Chicago was struggling. The stakes tonight are the same: an incredibly valuable two points up for grabs between two teams vying for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Chicago, Dallas and Minnesota are all logjammed at 39 points a piece. The Hawks have played 33 games and are therefore the first wildcard today. Minnesota is the second wildcard, by virtue of having of playing 34 games. Dallas is just out of the playoff picture this morning, with 35 games played.

The Hawks come in tonight riding a 5-game win streak; Dallas has lost three straight. All that said, I would expect a supreme effort by the Stars tonight.

We’ll recap tonight or tomorrow AM.

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