Chicago Blackhawks at Dallas Stars 7:30PM Central CSN Chicago/Fox Southwest
THE BUZZ
Like the St. Louis game the other night, this is an important matchup in terms of points and playoff position, not to mention psychology going into the postseason.
The Blackhawks still seem to be struggling to find a steady rhythm and identity since their midseason winning streak, while also trying to assimilate a number of new faces acquired at the trade deadline.
Meanwhile the team has sunk to 24th on the penalty kill, traditionally a team strength. And people question the new contract just given to Marcus Kruger. The team was 10th in the league when Kruger left the lineup due to injury several weeks ago.
No official word whether Marian Hossa plays tonight, and while I have not heard anything specifically on Hossa’s condition in a week or more, my gut sense is to bet against his return—until he returns. His injury was worse than originally reported and it is best for him and the team to not rush him back right now. If/when he plays, he will be ready.
Patrick Sharp is out for Dallas.
PROJECTED LINEUPS
Chicago
Ladd Toews Shaw Panarin Anisimov Kane Desjardins Teravainen Fleischmann Mash inter. Rasmussen. Weise
Keith Hjalmarsson Gustafsson Seabrook Van Riemsdyk Rozsival
Crawford
Dallas
Benn Eakin Eaves Nichushkin Spezza Ritchie Roussel Seguin Hemsky Janmark Fiddler Sceviour
Russell Goligoski. Oduya Johns Nemeth Oleksiak
Lehtonen
I’ll recap tomorrow.
FOB (good peeps, good reads)
Chris Block Al Cimaglia http://www.thethirdmanin.com
Frank Nova http://www.hockeenight.com
Greg Boysen http://www.letsgohawks.net
Puckin’ Hostile Crew http://www.puckinhostile.com