Anaheim Ducks (5-3-1) at Chicago Blackhawks (4-2-2)
7:30pm Central/5:30pm Pacific
United Center
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN
PROJECTED GOALIES:
Chicago:
Corey Crawford (1-1-0, .941 SV%, 2.05 GAA)
Anaheim:
John Gibson (4-2-1, .949 SV%, 1.91 GAA)
Team statistics:
Power Play
Chicago (11.1%, T-26)
Anaheim (22.7%, T-14)
Penalty Kill
Chicago (70.8%, 28)
Anaheim (77.4%, 18)
Shots for/against per game
Chicago (35.0, 4 – 37.1, 30)
Anaheim (23.8, 31 – 37.9, 31)
Shooting%
Chicago (10.7%, T-12)
Anaheim (10.7%, T-12)
Faceoff%
Chicago (49.6%, 19)
Anaheim (46.9%, 27)
Avg. height/weight
Chicago
6’1” 195 lbs
Anaheim
6’1” 201 lbs
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
Chicago
DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Saad
Fortin-Kruger-Martinsen
Keith-Jokiharju
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Davidson-Rutta
Anaheim
Street-Getzlaf-Aberg
Comtois-Henrique-Sherwood
Cogliano-Kesler-Gibbons
Lundestrom-Steel-Rakell
Fowler-Manson
Lindholm-Montour
Pettersson-Sustr
Analysis:
The league’s bottom two teams in shots against face off tonight as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks.
Chicago is coming off a 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, in which, the Lightning generated 55 shots on goal. This past Sunday, the Ducks lost at home to Buffalo 4-2 while surrendering 45 shots.
With that being said, you may be in for a goaltender’s duel.
Corey Crawford comes off a “goalie win” in Columbus sporting a .941 save percentage, however, Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson has bested Crawford thus far with a .945 percentage.
Defensive commitment needs to be a priority for the Blackhawks. However, it does not all fall on the defenseman. Better back checking by the forwards, as well as trusting others are taking care of their responsibilities in the defensive zone must improve.
Will the goaltenders stay on top of their games or will the barrage of shots finally catch up to them? Either way, the Blackhawks need to bounce back after a horrendous effort Sunday versus Tampa.
Comment below in our live game thread tonight!
And look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game later tonight or early tomorrow on the-rink.com.