Chicago Blackhawks (11–19–6) at Dallas Stars (17–14–3)
7:30pm CST
American Airlines Center
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN
PROJECTED STARTERS
Chicago – Cam Ward (5–5–4, SV%: .888, GAA: 3.95)
Dallas– Ben Bishop (11–8–1, SV%: .922, GAA: 2.35)
TEAM STATISTICS
Power Play
Chicago (12.0%, 30th)
Dallas (21.1%, 14th)
Penalty Kill
Chicago (72.3%, 31st)
Dallas (83.0%, 7th)
Shorts for/against
Chicago (31.9, T-14th; 34.2, 28th)
Dallas (29.7, 24th; 31.0, 13th)
Shooting %
Chicago (8.8%, 27th)
Dallas (9.3%, 20th)
Faceoff %
Chicago (50.0%,T-14th)
Dallas (51.6%, 9th)
Avg. height/weight
Chicago 6’1”, 197lbs
Dallas 6’2” 205lbs
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad–Jonathan Toews–Dominik Kahun
Dylan Strome–Artem Anisimov–Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat–David Kampf–Dylan Sikura
John Hayden–Luke Johnson–Brendan Perlini
Duncan Keith–Erik Gustafsson
Gustav Forsling–Brent Seabrook
Carl Dahlstrom–Connor Murphy
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn–Tyler Seguin–Denis Gurianov
Valeri Nichushkin–Devin Shore–Alexander Radulov
Radek Faksa–Martin Hanzal–Tyler Pitlick
Mattias Janmark–Jason Dickinson–Blake Comeau
Esa Lindell–John Klingberg
Miro Heiskanen–Gavin Bayreuther
Roman Polak–Taylor Fedun
Analysis
Chicago played their best game of the season, Tuesday at home, defeating the Nashville Predators 2 – 1. The Blackhawks played a solid 200-foot game and may have seen their first “goalie win” in over a month.
Not only did the defense show vast improvement in their own zone, the back end scored both goals. Gustav Forsling and Erik Gustafsson found the back of the net, supplying some much needed scoring depth.
Cam Ward is expected in goal in net tonight. The 34-year old goaltender is coming off a 30-save performance. Ward does have a surprising won/loss record (5 – 5 – 4) considering .888 save percentage and 3.95 goals against.
The Blackhawks have a difficult time this season putting solid performances together. Chicago has not won back-to back games since defeating the New York Rangers 4 – 1 on October 25.