Dallas Stars (31-19-4) at Chicago Blackhawks (24-21-8)
7:30PM Central
RADIO: WGN 720
TV: NBC Sports Chicago/FS West+
PROJECTED GOALIES:
Chicago:
Anton Forsberg (5-8-3, 2.94 GAA, .911 Save%)
Dallas:
Ben Bishop (22-14-3, 2.44 GAA, .919 Save%)
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:
Chicago:
DeBrincat-Toews-Duclair
Anisimov-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Hartman-Saad
Jurco-Kampf-Hinostroza
Keith-Oesterle
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Kempny-Rutta
Dallas:
Benn-Seguin-Radulov
Janmark-Spezza-Shore
Roussel-Faska-Pitlick
Elie-Hanzal-Ritchie
Lindell-Klingberg
Hamhuis-Pateryn
Johns-Honka
STATISTICAL COMPARISIONS:
Power Play:
Chicago 15.5% (30th)
Dallas 20.6% (T-12th)
Penalty Kill:
Chicago 82.7% (6th)
Dallas 82.2% (T-11th)
Corsi FOR % (5-on-5):
Chicago 53.1% (2nd)
Dallas 52.0% (7th)
Faceoffs:
Chicago 49.5% (19th)
Dallas 53.0% (1st)
SUMMARY:
Anyone sick of hearing the term, “must win?” I know I am. The Blackhawks enter tonight’s game seven points back of the eighth and final wild card spot, and ten points behind tonight’s opponent, the Dallas Stars. Riding a three-game losing streak, it will be important for the Blackhawks to get out to a fast start against a Stars team that has a lot of talent up front, especially at Center.
Dallas enters the United Center with a three-game win streak, with their most recent win coming against the New York Rangers on Monday night. They have a talented core led by Tyler Seguin and John Klingberg, both of which are all-stars this season.
As for the Blackhawks, there isn’t much to say. They continue to lack the consistency in their team game, and it seems as though it is going to cost them a playoff spot. I look forward to seeing what coach Joel Quenneville has in store as far as the lineup tonight; I would expect the line blender 3000 to be on full blast. Also, look for Anton Forsberg to get the nod in net as well.
We’ll recap tonight or tomorrow AM. Join the conversation below!