Washington Capitals (8-3-1) at Chicago Blackhawks (10-3-1) 8:30PM Eastern/7:30PM Central CSN (Chicago and Mid-Atlantic)
Chicago forward lines
Schmaltz-Toews-Kane Panarin-Kruger-Hossa Desjardins-Rasmussen-Panik Hartman-Hinostroza-Tootoo
Chicago defense
Keith-Campbell Kempny-Seabrook Forsling-Hjalmarsson
STARTING GOALIES:
Washington: Braden Holtby Chicago: Corey Crawford
STATS:
GOALS PER GAME: Washington 2.75 Chicago 3.43
GOALS AGAINST: Washington 2.17 Chicago 2.36
POWER PLAY Washington 13.2% Chicago 18.6%
PENALTY KILL Washington 81.8% Chicago 67.3%
SHOTS F/A Washington 32/26.6 Chicago 28.3/32
FACEOFF% Washington 52.7% Chicago 49.4%
NOTES:
The Blackhawks 7-game win streak meets another potential roadblock tonight in the form of a team Chicago struggled against last year, and has gone just 3-5-2 against in their last ten meetings. The Caps are deep, defensively rigid and play a hard, heavy style.
Artem Anisimov, a key cog in arguably the league's best line this year is out tonight. The often underrated Marcus Kruger takes his place, centering Artemi Panarin and Marian Hossa. It's a nice opportunity for Kruger, who has effectively managed 1-2 rookies thus far this year on Chicago's third line. But he also needs to deliver—at the very least in terms of doing what's necessary to support the play offensively and allowing his linemates to succeed.
This also allows Nick Schmaltz (for now) to continue his audition at top line left wing. Wednesday in St. Louis, prior to Anisimov leaving the ice with an injury, Joel Quenneville had bumped Schmaltz back down to the fourth line, in favor of Richard Panik.
Injuries happen in the course of a season, and the staff makes due. However, I would not be at all surprised to see Quenneville adjust the lines tonight if Schmaltz or others struggle early versus the Caps.
With Kruger moving up, Vince Hinostroza returns to the ice to form a pure energy line with Ryan Hartman and Jordin Tootoo. Stranger things have certainly happened, but I wouldn't expect too much from the lower lines tonight. Unless one of those units shows some spark, I would expect Quenneville to keep the bench relatively short and ride the top 6 hard, filing others in if necessary, as he sees fit.
Added subtext tonight is another matchup of two of the league's best goaltenders. Should be another great, entertaining game. I'll recap tomorrow.
JJ
GET ‘EM PUCK GEAR FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
Check out my friends at www.puckhcky.com for uber-cool hockey themed hats, shirts, hoodies, stickers and more—including the personal clothing line of Marian Hossa, with special 500 Goal gear as well.