Arizona Coyotes (1-4-0) at Chicago Blackhawks (3-0-2)
7:30pm Central, 5:30pm Mountain
United Center
TV/Radio: NBCSCH, FS-A/WGN
PROJECTED GOALIES:
Chicago:
Corey Crawford (.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA)
Arizona:
Antti Raanta (.903 SV%, 2.22 GAA)
Team statistics:
Power Play
Chicago (11.1%, T-24)
Arizona (13.3%, 23)
Penalty Kill
Chicago (64.7%, T-28)
Arizona (91.7%, 5)
Shots for/against per game
Chicago (36.8, 3 – 34.6, 26)
Arizona (35.6, 5 – 24.2, 1)
Shooting%
Chicago (12.0%, 8)
Arizona (1.7%, 31)
Faceoff%
Chicago (49.0%, 21)
Arizona (54.9%, 2)
Avg. height/weight
Chicago
6’1” 195lbs
Arizona
6’1” 196lbs
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
Chicago
DeBrincat – Toews – Kahun
Saad – Schmaltz – Kane
Kunitz – Anisimov – Hayden
Kruger – Johnson – Kampf
Keith – Jokiharju
Gustafsson – Seabrook
Manning – Rutta
Arizona
Panik – Stepan – Keller
Perlini – Strome – Fischer
Grabner – Richardson – Hinostroza
Crouse – Cousins – Archibald
Ekmann-Larsson – Demers
Goligoski – Hjalmarsson
Connauton – Oesterle
Analysis:
If there is a team for the Chicago Blackhawks to feast on at this pint in time, it is the Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes have potted a measly three goals in five games, while the Blackhawks have averaged surrendering 34.6 shots per game.
Is this the game the Blackhawks finally give up less than three goals, or the game that the Coyotes finally break their slump?
Arizona’s inept offense should allow Corey Crawford, making his first start since December, a chance to get comfortable in net. Crawford’s presence behind a shaky defense could be a breath of fresh air. However, ten months without game activity can be difficult for any player, especially a netminder.
Joel Quenneville teased healthy scratching a struggling Brandon Saad at practice on Tuesday, but it looks like this was all a motivational tactic.
Antti Raanta starts in goal for the Coyotes. The 29-year old Raanta was part of the 2015 Stanley Cup team in Chicago.
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.