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First the Bruins, then the Red Wings, now the Wild.
The Hawks are reliving their 2013 playoff run in consecutive games of late. And not unlike the nail-biting Western Conference semi-final of last season, the Wings gave them all they could handle—and this time a bit more.
Overtime and the shootout have been the Hawks' Achilles Heel all season. They are now 5-7 when it goes beyond regulation. Not good. And overall, the Hawks played a sloppy game last night in a see-saw affair versus the home-standing Wings.
Tonight, the Hawks roll into Minnesota, where they face a Wild team that is 7-3 in its last ten games. By comparison, the Hawks are 4-1-5, further testament to how much they are struggling after 60 minutes pass. The Wild are also a playoff team today and could easily be the Hawks' first round opponent again in April.
They're also a pretty good and improving hockey team—18-7-2 at home—and one Chicago can't take lightly tonight.
Antti Raanta is between the pipes for the Hawks tonight, while Darcy Kuemper is the likely starter for the Wild. Gametime is 7PM Central.
All for now,
JJ