Follow @jaeckel



Chicago Blackhawks (36-18-5) at Minnesota Wild (39-13-6)
7PM Central
NBCSN/CSN/Fox Sports North


GOALIES:
Corey Crawford/Chicago
Devan Dubnyk/Minnesota


STATS:

GF/GA PER GAME:
Chicago 2.88/2.54
Minnesota 3.31/2.26

SF/SA PER GAME:
Chicago 30/31
Minnesota 30.1/30.9

POWER PLAY:
Chicago 19%
Minnesota 21.9%

PENALTY KILL:
Chicago 77.1%
Minnesota 82.9%


NOTES:
No hype is needed. This is a big game for the Hawks, to put it mildly. They pulled out a 4-3 OT win in St. Paul a few weeks ago, after getting outshot and outplayed at times in regulation against a fast, young, talented Minnesota team. But this is not the same Hawk team—after that game, the Hawks began to play a lot better. But that will be put to the test tonight against a very good, likely deep playoff team.

RUMOR FRONT:
Nothing new to report from my sources, but some quick commentary on recent developments. Montreal's alleged interest in Martin Hanzal is interesting as far as the Hawks. First, because the Hawks have inquired about him with Arizona as well. Second, because it signals the Habs may have moved away from/dropped out of the Matt Duchene stakes. Although I reported the other day, the Hawks had dropped out on Duchene as well, I was told it could be rekindled were Stan Bowman willing to include Ryan Hartman in a deal. Stay tuned. I will be updating trade rumors pretty much in real time as I hear them the next week or so.



Wild recap tomorrow,



JJ

Join the Discussion: » 531 Comments » Post New Comment

» Thanks and Farewell

» Where do we go from here?

» Preds at Hawks Breakdown

» "All Teams Have Flaws"

» The Games You Should Win