[10:00 PM] Blackhawks @ Canucks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Chicago Blackhawks (12-4-2)

@ Vancouver Canucks (7-10-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Corey Crawford (CHI): Unconfirmed

Jacob Markstorm (VAN): Confirmed

 

• The Central Division-leading Chicago Blackhawks attempt to make it two wins in as many nights when they continue their annual Circus Trip on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. Chicago kicked off its yearly trek Tuesday with a disappointing 4-0 loss at Winnipeg but rebounded to post a 3-2 comeback victory at Calgary on Friday that was capped by Marian Hossa’s goal with 2:23 remaining in the third period.

• Patrick Kane notched an assist Friday for his team-high 19th point, but the reigning Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner has scored just one goal in his last five games. Defenseman Michal Kempny recorded an assist on Hossa’s goal against the Flames for his first career point. The 26-year-old Czech, who also registered a team-high five shots in the victory, posted a plus-3 rating and 10 penalty minutes in his first 15 NHL contests. Rookie Tyler Motte, who has registered three goals and three assists in 13 games, has missed five contests with an upper-body injury but could return Saturday.

• Sedin’s goal on Thursday was his team-leading sixth of the season and fourth during his point streak. Himself excluded, only four members of the Canucks have more points than he has tallies. Ryan Miller apparently is well enough to at least serve as the backup goaltender against Chicago as Vancouver assigned Michael Garteig to Alaska of the ECHL on Friday. The 25-year-old Garteig, who was signed in April and posted a 5-1-0 record with a 2.52 goals-against average in six games with the Aces, was recalled Tuesday and served as Jacob Markstrom’s backup versus Arizona.

• The Blackhawks own a 29-11-4 record on their Circus Trip since 2008, including a 3-1-2 mark last season.

• Vancouver RW Derek Dorsett left Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury and is day-to-day.

• Chicago captain Jonathan Toews is in the midst of a five-game goal-scoring drought during which he has recorded only two assists.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Chicago Blackhawks

Confidence: 5/10

Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Previous Pick
Next Pick