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The goaltending plot thickened a bit today, with the Hawks acquiring veteran journeyman Jason LaBarbera from the Oilers for future considerations.
You can read a lot into this: Corey Crawford is still a ways away (yes), Nikolai Khabibulin might have played his last game in a Hawk sweater (very possibly), the Hawks have concerns about Antti Raanta as Crawford's backup the rest of the way (doubtful).
Raanta's numbers and demeanor suggest the Hawks are really comfortable with him in what was Khabibulin's spot.
The real issue is this: with Crawford still 2-3 weeks away, the Hawks are one more injury away from Kent Simpson being their number one netminder. Enter the left-handed LaBarbera, a solid backup who can win some games for you.
Chicago Blackhawks (23-6-5) at Toronto Maple Leafs (16-14-3) 7PM Eastern Air Canada Centre CBC, WGN
LAST TEN GAMES:
Chicago 7-2-1 Toronto 2-6-2
POWER PLAY:
Chicago, 5th 23.3% Toronto, 4th 23.3%
PENALTY KILL:
Chicago, 28th 74% Toronto, 27th 77.2%
PROJECTED LINEUPS
CHICAGO
Sharp-Toews-Hossa Versteeg-Handzus-Kane Saad-Shaw-Morin Bollig-Kruger-Smith
Keith-Seabrook Oduya-Hjalmarsson Leddy-Brookbank
Raanta
Toronto
van Riemsdyk-Kadri-Kessel Raymond-Smth-Lupul Ashton-Holland-Kulemin McLaren-McClement-D'Amigo
Gunnarson-Phaneuf Franson-Gardiner Rielly-Liles
Bernier
All for now,
JJ