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Chicago Blackhawks @ Minnesota Wild

7PM Central
XCel Energy Center
CSN Chicago, Fox Sports North

PROJECTED LINEUPS:

Chicago

Brunette-Kane-Hossa
Sharp-Kruger-Stalberg
Bickell-Morrison-Shaw
Bollig-Mayers-Hayes

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Leddy
Hjalmarsson-O'Donnell

Crawford


Minnesota

Heatley-Koivu-Setoguchi
Veilleux-Peters-Ortmeyer
Clutterbuck-Powe-Brodziak
Zucker-Christensen-Johnson

Stoner-Gilbert
Prosser-Falk
Scandella-Foster

Harding


SCOUTING REPORT:

I would expect some rough stuff tonight as some bad blood likely lingers between these clubs from their last meeting the other night at the UC. Plus, the Wild has nothing else to play for and the Hawks now appear pretty much destined to finish sixth in the West, regardless of the outcome of last two regular season games.

Speaking of which, it appears the Hawks will face either Los Angeles or San Jose in the first round, with both clubs separated by a point today and facing each other home and home over the season's last two games. Phoenix however, could conceivably take the Pacific if they take 3-4 points against St. Louis and Minnesota on the road and the Kings and Sharks each split.

Now cleared by doctors to play, Jonathan Toews will not be on the ice tonight, although he is on the road with the club. An appearance in the season finale Saturday at Detroit is possible.

Duncan Keith returns from his suspension tonight.

Andrew Brunette and Dave Bolland did not practice today; Bolland is apprently out for tonight, but I believe Brunette is in.

Thanks for reading,


JJ

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