Looking for consistency, and coming off a big OT road win last night, the Blackhawks host New Jersey tonight at the UC.
New Jersey Devils (10-4-2) at Chicago Blackhawks (8-7-2)
7PM Eastern/6PM Central
RADIO: WGN 720
TV: NBC Sports Chicago/MSG+
PROJECTED GOALIES:
New Jersey:
Keith Kinkaid (3-1-1, 2.88 GAA, .903 save%)
Chicago:
Corey Crawford (7-6-0, 1.87 GAA, .942 save%)
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
New Jersey
Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Bratt-Henrique-Stafford
Wood-Boyle-Hayes
Gibbons-Coleman-Noesen
Greene-Santini
Moore-Severson
Butcher-Mueller
Chicago
Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Bouma-Kero-DeBrincat
Sharp-Wingels-Hartman
Keith-Franson
Murphy-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta
STATISTICAL COMPARISONS:
Power Play:
New Jersey 22.6% (7th)
Chicago 12.2% (30th)
Penalty Kill:
New Jersey 82.3% (12th)
Chicago 85.9% (5th)
Corsi For % (5-on-5)
New Jersey 46.3% (29th)
Chicago 50.3% (13th)
Faceoffs:
New Jersey 45.8% (30th)
Chicago 48.3% (23rd)
SUMMARY:
Coming off last night’s big comeback win in Raleigh, the suttering Blackhawks, quite frankly, could use another win tonight. And even more so, they could use a more solid 60 minute performance than they’ve had in several games.
The Devils are yet another Eastern Conference team that in years past would have been seen by the Hawks as a relatively pushover. Not anymore. The Devils sit atop their division, and the Hawks, well, the Hawks are not sure at this point what kind of team they are.
Corey Crawford likely starts for Chicago tonight. The Hawk lines and pairings above are a best-guess due to the back-to-back and OT on the road last night. I would expect the basic lines/pairs to remain the same with perhaps one or two subs.
Look for a recap tonight or early tomorrow.
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