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Vancouver Canucks (45-27-5) at Chicago Blackhawks (46-24-6) 7:30PM Central/5:30 Pacific CSN Chicago/RSNP
THE BUZZ
Anther big game to keep the Hawks (hopefully) up and motivated as they move closer to the playoffs and a couple of important games against now likely playoff opponent St. Louis.
This is no matchup to take for granted as the Canucks beat the Hawks 5-4 in their earlier meeting this year.
The Hawks have struggled all season to find a consistent groove—and especially lately, in the wake of Patrick Kane’s injury. But the last two games, road and home victories against the Jets and Kings respectively seem to demonstrate that the Hawks’ game is starting to coming together nicely.
The Canucks bring speed and skill—and they can hurt you on more than one line, but it seems to prescription to beat them is still stop the Sedins. In the previous meeting this year, it was Henrik and Daniel who burned Chicago for the gamewinner.
Kane saw practice time (white jersey/no contact) yesterday and looked very good. This is by no means an indication his return is imminent, but probably means he will return somewhat to well before the originally projected 12-week timeframe.
THE LINEUPS (PROJECTED)
Vancouver
Sedin Sedin Burrows Higgins Bonino Vrbata Matthias Vey Dorsett Kenins Horvat Hansen
Edler Tanev Hamhuis Weber Sbisa Bieksa
Lack
Chicago
Versteeg Toews Hossa Vermette Richards Sharp Bickell Shaw Saad Desjardins Kruger Teravainen
Timonen Seabrook Keith Rozsival Oduya Hjalmarsson
Crawford
All for now, I’ll recap tomorrow
JJ