If it feels like it’s been a week since you’ve seen Blackhawks hockey, you would be right. Chicago returns from their week off Saturday to face the Edmonton Oilers United Center.
Corey Crawford will get the start in goal for Chicago. Crawford has continued to shine between the pipes with four wins. He holds a 2.72 goals-against average this month, with a .915 save percentage. His last start in net was a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Feb. 10.
The Hawks (35-17-5) are riding a five-game win streak after defeating the Oilers (31-19-8) on the road one week ago. Chicago holds 75 points in the central division this season, seven points behind the first place Minnesota Wild.
In head to head matchups, Chicago leads Edmonton (73-66-12) and has not lost to the Oilers at home since 2013. The Hawks are 40-28-7 when facing Edmonton in Chicago and Saturday’s game will be rubber match of the three-game season series.
Edmonton has won two straight and sits four points out of first place in the Pacific division with 70 points. Cam Talbot will likey start in net for the Oilers. Talbot surrendered four goals on 20 shot attempts and was pulled after two periods earlier this month against Chicago.
The Oilers still have the young star Connor McDavid to fuel their offense. McDavid leads the NHL with 66 points this season. He has 19 goals and 47 assists with six points in his last three games.
For more on the Edmonton Oilers, visit SB Nation’s Copper & Blue.
Lineups
Blackhawks
Forwards
Schmaltz-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Hartman-Kero-Hossa
Rasmussen-Kruger-Desjardins
Defensemen
Keith-Hjalmarsson
Kempny-Seabrook
Campbell-TVR
Goalie
Crawford
Oilers
Forwards
Maroon-McDavid-Eberle
Lucic-Draisaitl-Slepyshev
Pouliot-Nugent-Hopkins-Kassian
Hendricks-Letestu-Pakarinen
Defensemen
Klefbom-Larsson
Sekera-Benning
Davidson-Gryba
Goalie
Talbot
*Lines will be updated if necessary
How to watch Blackhawks vs. Oilers
Time: 6 p.m. CST
Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
TV: WGN