Since we last met the Chicago Blackhawks…
IN: Andrew Brunette, Steve Montador, Marcus Kruger, Jamal Mayers, our old friend Sean O’Donnell, Clifford’s ragdoll Dan Carcillo, Sami Lepisto
OUT: Brian Campbell, Jake Dowell. Waived: Rostislav Olesz
Possible lines:
Stalberg-Toews-Hossa
Frolik-Kane-Sharp
Brunette-Bolland-Bickell
Carcillo-Kruger-Mayers
Keith-Seabrook
Leddy-Hjalmarsson
O’Donnell-Montador
In Net: Corey Crawford
Much like last year, the Hawks are scoring boatloads of goals (3.26/game) but also giving up a lot (3.09 goals against). Much of that has to do with a penalty kill that’s dead last in the league (73.2%). They’ve had some ugly losses lately, followed by a 6-5 win over the hapless Ducks. (They scored four in the third period alone. I swear Anaheim is the league’s Prozac.)
As for the Kings, they’re angry over an OT loss to the Stars, and rightly so; it’s cold comfort that giving up a third period lead is a rare event for this team. The same lineup appears to be set (poor Richardson, poor Lewis), so hopefully they can bounce back from that uncharacteristic result.