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Chicago Blackhawks (12-7-1)@Vancouver Canucks (13-6-1) 8:30PM Central/6:30PM Pacific CSN Chi/SportsNet Pacific
THE BUZZ
Only a skeptical few urged caution in the buildup to the Hawks game in Edmonton last night. Many predicted a blitzkrieg blowout on behalf of Chicago. I and I guess some guy named Stanley on Milwaukee Avenue said don't take this one for granted. So the Hawks won 7-1, further cementing the legacy of myself and Stanley as Naysayers.
The Big Guns delivered: Hossa (1G/3A), Toews (2G), Kane (1/1). Unfortunately, the Oilers are the definition of "team in disarray" and not much of a yardstick. But the Hawks gave some TOI and special teams time to players who typically don't get much of it and racked up two much-needed road points, on the way to tonight's tougher test in Vancouver. Rookie Philip Danault played well in his first NHL game.
Corey Crawford subbed for an ailing Antti Raanta last night. And late word is Crawford will make his 11th consecutive start tonight.
Tonight is Daniel Sedin's 1000th NHL game.
PROJECTED LINEUPS
Chicago
Saad Toews Hossa Versteeg Richards Kane Bickell Danault Carcillo Nordstrom Kruger Smith
Keith Seabrook Oduya Hjalmarsson Clendening Rozsival
Crawford
Vancouver
Sedin Sedin Vrbata Higgins Bonino Vey Matthias Richardson Kassian Dorsett Horvat Hansen
Edler Tanev Stanton Bieksa Sbisa Weber
Miller
Back tomorrow with a recap,
JJ