Chicago Blackhawks (8–7–4) at Buffalo Sabres (10–6–3)
6 p.m. CST
United Center
TV/Radio: NBCSN/WGN
Projected starting goaltenders
Chicago — Corey Crawford (3–4–2, .908 save percentage, 3.24 goals against average)
Buffalo — Carter Hutton (6–3–2, .913 save percentage, 2.62 goals against average)
Team statistics
Power play
Chicago (14.0%, 27th)
Buffalo (22.9%, Tenth)
Penalty kill
Chicago (78.7%, 19th)
Buffalo (74.1%, 26th)
Shots for/against
Chicago (30.2, 19th; 37.3, 30th)
Buffalo (30.5, 15th; 32.4, Tenth)
Shooting percentage
Chicago (9.90%)
Buffalo (9.8%)
Face off percentage
Chicago (48.4%, 26th)
Buffalo (46.1%, 30th)
Average height and weight
Chicago — 6-foot-1, 197 pounds
Nashville — 6-foot-1, 199 pounds
Projected lines and pairings
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad — Jonathan Toews — Alexander Nylander
Alex DeBrincat — Dylan Strome — Patrick Kane
Dominik Kubalik — David Kampf — Andrew Shaw
Ryan Carpenter — Kirby Dach — Zack Smith
Duncan Keith — Erik Gustafsson
Calvin de Haan — Brent Seabrook
Olli Maatta — Slater Koekkoek
Buffalo Sabres
Victor Olofsson — Jack Eichel — Sam Reinhart
Jeff Skinner— Evan Rodrigues — Conor Sheary
Jimmy Vesey — Casey Mittelstadt — Curtis Lazar
Zemgus Girgensons— Rasmus Asplund — Kyle Okposo
Jake McCabe — Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Dahlin — Brandon Montour
Marco Scandella — Henri Jokiharju
Analysis
After this last meeting against Nashville, Pekka Rinne gave the Blackhawks some Bulletin board material with his comments. The Blackhawks took those comments to heart and dropped a touchdown and extra point on the Nashville Predators last night. With seven goals, the Blackhawks have scored five or more goals in four of their last five games. Since the offensive philosophy change, the Blackhawks lead the NHL with 32 goals and are 5-1-2 in the month. One player that has benefited from the philosophy change has been Patrick Kane. He has been white-hot, and had a goal and an assist in the victory over Nashville. He now has an eight-game scoring streak and is tied for third with 16 points in November. Kane expects to continue his hot streak against his hometown foe, the Buffalo Sabres.
In addition to being on fire offensively, the Blackhawks have been getting elite-level goaltending from Robin Lehner and Corey Crawford. Lehner has a record of 5-2-2 with a. 942 save percentage in games when facing 30+ shots this season. While Crawford is 2-0-2 with .927 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average in his last four starts. Crawford will get his chance in net tonight against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Buffalo Sabres enter the United Center on the bit of a high after a victory over the Ottawa Senators. Despite the victory, the Sabres are 1-4-1 in their last five games. This will be the first meeting between the Blackhawks and Sabres this season. In spite of the poor record, the Sabres are getting some good offensive play from their young star, Jack Eichel. He has seven multi-point games this season. In addition to Eichel, Sam Reinhart has nine points in his last eight games with four multi-point outings. Another player to watch is Victor Olofsson, who is on a career-high four-game point streak.
The Sabres need a stellar effort for their young stars to reverse their miserable fortunes against Chicago. In their last 10 games against the Blackhawks, the Sabres are 1-5-4.
Can the Blackhawks continue their winning ways or will the Sabres finally start winning against Chicago?