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Chicago Blackhawks at Minnesota Wild
6:30 PM
Xcel Energy Center
TV: VERSUS
Radio: WGN
RECORDS:
Chicago, 18-8-4 PP: 9th PK: 27th
Minnesota, 20-8-3 PP: 18th PK: 9th
PROJECTED LINEUPS:
Chicago
Stalberg-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Kruger-Hossa
Bickell-Bolland-Brunette
Frolik-Mayers-Carcillo
Seabrook-Keith
Hjalmarsson-Leddy
Montador-Lepisto
Emery
Minnesota
Clutterbuck-Koivu-Heatley
Bouchard-Almond-Wellman
Johnson-Brodziak-Powe
Latendresse-Gillies-Staubitz
Schultz-Lundin
Stoner-Zanon
Spurgeon-Scandella
Backstrom
SCOUTING REPORT:
In the ultra-competitive Western Conference, a lot of games are big games. This one is no exception. As far as elite clubs, the Wild are the new kids on the block, but they definitely belong in the neighborhood. With 43 points in 31 games, this is a tough team to beat and, worse still, the kind of team that gives the Hawks fits. They have few stars but they get 110% effort up and down the lineup, and they are very tough around both nets.
And they have two terrific goalies in Josh Harding and tonight’s presumptive starter, Niklas Backstrom.
The Hawks do have a bit of mojo, with 9 points taken in their last five games, and perhaps a roadmap for winning after a big third period effort got them a win against San Jose Sunday night. The direction is simple: work hard and win corner battles from the opening horn. Don’t fall behind.
Ray Emery gets another start in net. It would probably be premature to say Razor has won the #1 job from Corey Crawford. But it is clear the job is there to win if he continues his solid play.
Bryan Bickell is back in the lineup on Dave Bolland’s wing and Michal Frolik flops to the fourth line. Bickell is once again saying all the right things about effort—and I would expect, tonight at least, he’ll be noticeable. His linemate Andrew Brunette has been especially strong down low of late and I would look for the Bolland line especially to try to pin the action in Minnesota’s end, cycle and try to generate a greasy goal.
Brunette’s lack of mobility has been the object of much derision, but to be fair, the Hawks signed him precisely for what he brought late in the San Jose game, when he was clearly one of the most effective players on the ice.
Another Hawk to watch might be Minnesotan Nick Leddy, originally drafted by the Wild, and felt by some to have been written off when dealt to the Hawks in 2009 for Cam Barker. In hindsight, the Wild whiffed big time on that one.
Every point counts in the West, especially against a team that you will be in competition with for a playoff berth or even home ice. But this is also a game where the Hawks can make a statement to and about the Wild.
Or vice versa.
Thanks for reading,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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