Game Preview : History Schmistory

The Blackhawks can tie 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks for the most consecutive games with a point to start a season tonight. The already have tied the 1984-85 Oilers for the second best start in league history with points in 15 straight games. Both of those teams won the Stanley Cup so it is good company to be in but I am not one to get super excited about regular season records. Yes, it is going to be nice not having to rely on the Minnesota Wild winning on the last day of the season to make the post season. Regular season records don't mean a thing without post season success, just ask the team across the ice from you tonight. If the Hawks set the all time mark for best start to the season and bow out in the 1st round again it doesn't mean squat. Tonight is going be a challenge for the Blackhawks who are not only playing a good team but are going to be missing two key components to their lineup. Corey Crawford will miss is 3rd straight game due to a likely concussion. He did skate this morning and Q said he was feeling much better which is encouraging. Brent Seabrook is going to miss tonight's game with a lower body injury otherwise known as a 90 mph slap shot to the stones. Probably a good idea to keep him out since we all know Alexandre Burrows likes to knee people in the crotch besides biting and pulling hair. What a kinky little kitten!

This is a different Canucks team than the one we saw in Vancouver back on February 1st. All Star center Ryan Kelser has made his return to the lineup and has a goal and an assist in his two games. Kesler is one of the best two way forwards in the league and makes any team he is on instantly better. David Booth will be making his season debut tonight. The Canucks waived former Blackhawk Andrew Ebbett to make room for Booth on the roster. Cory Schneider is going to get the start in net over Roberto Luongo who has been very good this year. Schnieder blew a 3-1 3rd period lead against the Dallas Stars his last time out on Friday night. Canucks are only giving up 2.14 goals a game, which is 4th best in the league. This is still a very good team, though I will always argue that their numbers get padded playing in such a bad division. The UC will be rocking tonight and will definitely have a playoff atmosphere for the Canucks only Chicago appearance during the regular season.

Probable Chicago Blackhawks lineup

Forwards

Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa

Patrick Sharp - Dave Bolland - Patrick Kane

Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Viktor Stalberg

Brandon Bollig - Marcus Kruger - Michael Frolik

Defensive Pairings

Duncan Keith - Michal Rozsival

Niklas Hjalmarsson - Johnny Oduya

Sheldon Brookbank - Nick Leddy

Goaltender

Ray Emery 5-0-0, 2.17 GAA, .929 save %, 0 SO

Injuries

Brent Seabrook (Salo'd) OUT, Corey Crawford (upper body) OUT, Daniel Carcillo (knee) OUT

Leading Scorers

P. Kane 21 pts (9 G, 12 A)

J. Toews 15 pts (7 G, 8 A)

P. Sharp 13 pts (3 G, 10 A)

M. Hossa 12 pts (6 G, 6 A)

D. Keith 9 pts (1 G, 8 A)

Probable Vancouver Canucks lineup

Forwards

Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Alexandre Burrows

Chris Higgins - Ryan Kesler - David Booth

Mason Raymond - Jordan Schroeder - Jannik Hansen

Dale Weise - Maxim Lapierre - Zack Kassian

Defensive Pairings

Jason Garrison - Kevin Bieksa

Dan Hamhuis - Alexander Edler

Keith Ballard - Chris Tanev

Goaltender

Cory Schneider 4-3-0, 2.62 GAA, .912 save %, 1 SO

Leading Scorers:

D. Sedin 13 pts (4 G, 9 A)

H. Sedin 12 pts (1 G, 11 A)

A. Edler 10 pts (3 G, 7 A)

M. Raymond 9 pts (5 G, 4 A)

A. Burrows 8 pts (4 G, 4 A)

Chicago Blackhawks Tickets