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Game Day Watch, 11/26: Chicago Blackhawks @ Los Angeles Kings

HOW TO WATCH

Game Time: 7:30 PM Pacific
TV: Fox Sports West, WGN
Radio: KABC AM 790
Stream: Fox Sports Go (requires cable subscription)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

if you’re a Kings fan: The Kings are flying high after two goals from Dwight King and two goals from defensemen got them their fourth win in a row. Secondary scoring would be wonderful, but we’d probably be OK with the Pearson-Carter-Toffoli line doing what they did against the Blackhawks in 2014.

if you’re a Blackhawks fan: Corey Crawford has become a model of consistency, as he’s putting up a .924 save percentage for the third year in a row. Scott Darling, however, has seen his performance drop off, despite having won his first four starts. A .904 save percentage probably won’t beat the Kings.

if you’re a hockey fan: Jonathan Toews is out tonight, leaving the primary mano y mano matchup to be contested by Norris winners Drew Doughty and Duncan Keith. Someone will still insist Toews outplayed Anze Kopitar, though.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

for the Kings: Marian Gaborik. We don’t know for sure if he’s going to play or not. He might, though. If he does it would be his season debut, and we’ll mostly just be watching to see how he does without too many expectations.

for the Blackhawks: Vince (Vinnie) Hinostroza. With Toews out, it appears he will center Ryan Hartman and Marian Hossa. He’s 22 years old, and he’s got 20 NHL games under his belt. All three of his career points came against Vancouver a week ago; what can he do in prime time?

LEAGUEWIDE WATCH

  • Yesterday: the Ducks were down 3-0 to a traditional Western powerhouse, managed to get two back, unleashed a flurry at the end, but still lost 3-2. Hey, they did that against us too! [Anaheim Calling]
  • The Ottawa Senators waived Matt Puempel, he got picked up by the New York Rangers, and he scored a goal on national television in his debut. This emboldened him to take some shots at his old team and coach. [NY Post]
  • Happy Birthday, NHL! [NHL]/

WATCH THIS

Whether or not Gaborik comes back, we’ll watch this a few times before puck drop.

Talking Points