Bruins v. Blackhawks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Boston Bruins (21-14-4)

@ Chicago Blackhawks (15-20-6)

Starting Goalies:

Tuukka Rask (BOS): Confirmed

Cam Ward (CHI): Confirmed

Current odds:

Boston Bruins: (-160)

Chicago Blackhawks: (+140)

• The surging Chicago Blackhawks try to change their fortunes in the Winter Classic when they take on the Boston Bruins in a battle of Original Six franchises at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., on Tuesday afternoon. The Blackhawks are 0-3-0 in the Winter Classic, but come into the 11th New Year’s Day event with five wins in their last six contests overall after beating Colorado 3-2 in overtime Saturday.

• Boston, which has been hampered by injuries all season long, comes to the land of Touchdown Jesus after rallying to beat Buffalo 3-2 in overtime on Saturday for its fourth victory in six contests. “It’s rare when you get to play in games like (this),” Bruins defenseman Torey Krug told the Boston Herald. “This is a special venue and a special occasion for sure. You just want to soak it all in and hopefully be on the winning side of things.”

• Second-leading scorer Brad Marchand (12 goals, 41 points) is hoping to be able to play Tuesday after missing Saturday’s contest with an upper-body injury. Right wing David Pastrnak leads the team with 23 goals and 48 points and veteran center Patrice Bergeron has 31 points in 23 games this season after scoring three times and setting up two others in four contests since returning from an upper-body injury. Boston won’t have veteran power forward David Backes (three goals, 10 points), who is serving the second contest of a three-game suspension for an illegal check.

• Former Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane has been on a roll with five goals in his last two outings and seven to go along with six assists during a current seven-game point streak. Kane tops the team with 50 points while captain Jonathan Toews has four assists in three games to push his total to 35 and fellow forward Alex DeBrincat is close behind (33) after posting four goals and three assists during a five-game point streak. Rookie Collin Delia is 3-0-0 with a .957 save percentage since being recalled, but veteran Cam Ward (6-6-4, .886 SP) is expected to start in net.

• Chicago acquired F Drake Caggiula and veteran D Jason Garrison from Edmonton in exchange for blue liners Brandon Manning and Robin Norell on Sunday.

• Boston D Charlie McAvoy, who has 11 points in 17 games this season, is not expected to play due to a lower-body injury.

• The Bruins are 7-of-21 on the power play over the last six games while the Blackhawks converted 5-of-11 with the man advantage in the past three.