Morning Bag Skate: Raanta or Darling is the big question now

Back to hockey action Thursday night as the Blackhawks face the Senators for the second time this season. Before then, let's catch up with the news:

**Antti Raanta or Scott Darling? The Blackhawks are going to need to make a choice soon (SCH)

**Raanta, Darling and Corey Crawford will all travel for the team's upcoming trip to Ottawa and Toronto. It's unclear how the trio will ultimately be used. (Chicago Tribune)

**The Blackhawks, like the rest of us, are a bit confounded by the recent scoring drought. I'm still of the opinion that bounces will start going the team's way soon if it sticks to its guns. (Chicago Tribune)

**The NHL suspended John Moore five games for his big hit on Erik Haula (NHL)

**Catch up on Wednesday night's action with SBN's storystream (SB Nation)

**Ex-SCHer Jen LC made her debut at Puck Daddy on Wednesday with an informative read on the importance of score effects. (Puck Daddy)

**Scott Hartnell dressing up as Larry Bird is probably one of my favorite hockey Halloween costumes yet (SB Nation)

**The Flames placed Matt Stajan on IR and he's expected to be out for roughly six weeks (Flames)

**Torey Krug will be sidelined for 2-3 weeks with a broken finger, the Bruins announced (Bruins)

**It's been a terrible season for Mike Smith but the Coyotes are sticking with their goalie for now (Puck Daddy)

**Gordie Howe is reportedly showing signs of improvement after suffering a stroke last weekend (Pro Hockey Talk)

**Problems are already arising in Buffalo as the losses pile up amidst what's likely to be an ugly season (Olean Times Herald)

**A pretty terrible penalty call from the Caps game on Wednesday night (SB Nation)

**Oh man, the new mask for Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen is awesome (Puck Daddy)