Preview/Game Thread: Blackhawks vs. Flames

  

 

Chicago Blackhawks (6-5-3) at Calgary Flames (8-5-1)

9:00pm Central, 8:00pm Mountain

Scotiabank Saddledome

TV/Radio: NBCSCH, CBC/WGN

 

PROJECTED STARTERS

Chicago – Corey Crawford (3-3-0 W-L, .909 SV%, 2.72 GAA)
Calgary – Mike Smith (5-4-1 W-L, .871 SV%, 3.71 GAA)

TEAM STATISTICS

Power Play

Chicago (13.0%, T-29th)
Calgary (15.8%, 22nd)

Penalty Kill

Chicago (77.3%, 19th)
Calgary (71.7%, 27th)

Shorts for/against

Chicago (34.1, 5th, 32.9, 22nd)
Calgary (32.6, 11th, 30.6, T-13th)

Shooting %

Chicago (9.0%, 22nd)
Calgary (10.3%, 12th)

Faceoff %

Chicago (49.8%, 17th)
Calgary (51.5%, 9th)

Avg. height/weight

Chicago 6’1″, 195lbs
Calgary 6’1″, 198lbs

 

PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS

Chicago Blackhawks

Alex DeBrincat – Jonathan Toews – Dominik Kahun
Brandon Saad – Artem Anisimov – Patrick Kane
Alexandre Fortin – Luke Johnson – Nick Schmaltz
Chris Kunitz –Marcus Kruger– Andreas Marinsen

Duncan Keith – Henri Jokiharju
Erik Gustafsson – Brent Seabrook
Brandon Manning – Brandon Davidson

Calgary Flames

Johnny GaudreauSean MonahanElias Lindholm
Matthew TkachukMikael BacklundMichael Frolik
Sam BennettMark JankowskiJames Neal
Dillon DubeDerek RyanGarnet Hathaway

Mark GiordanoT.J. Brodie
Noah HanifinTravis Hamonic
Juuso ValimakiRasmus Andersson

 

Analysis

The Hawks close out their Canadian road trip, tonight, versus the Calgary Flames.

Having lost two in a row on the trip, 4-2 in Vancouver and 4-0 in Edmonton, salvaging two points will go a long way in believing this team can compete in the Western Conference.

The offense, shutout for the first time this season in Edmonton, cannot rely on Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat every night. Scoring balance throughout the lineup has been a struggle all season.

Corey Crawford has allowed 10 goals, four in Vancouver and six in St. Louis, in his past two starts. Expected in net tonight, a bounce back game from Crawford is needed.

Riding an overall four-game losing streak into Calgary, the Hawks must find a way back into the win column.

 

 

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