I can’t really put up a full preview tonight, but the Blackhawks will start the post-All Star break portion of their schedule when they take on the Avalanche in Colorado tonight, at 8:30 PM CST.
It will be interesting to see how the team responds to Denis Savard ripping them after the 1-0 loss to the Blue Jackets in Chicago that closed out the pre-break schedule. Savard was obviously a very pissed off man and wants to see his team more willing to battle and get physical.
The Hawks have made some roster moves, placing David Koci on waivers, so his Blackhawks career is probably over, as well as his NHL one for that matter. Martin St. Pierre was called up and will be in the lineup tonight. Dave Bolland and Kris Versteeg, both battling injuries right now, were sent back to Rockford tonight.
Tonight’s the start of a long seven game road trip that will extend into the middle of February, and will likely tell us whether this team has a chance to make the playoffs this season. Currently they are six points out of the 8th playoff spot, and the Avalanche are one of the teams tied for that spot, so a win in this one would be a terrific start to the second half.