Corey Crawford will by Deal Top” in_rurl=”http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6ODM0MTg6OTY0MzpzdGFydDowZWQ3MmZiZGQyMDM0ZjJhMjI4OTE3ZDI1NjEzNGEyNTp6LTIyMjktMjgzNDYzMTY6d3d3LnNibmF0aW9uLmNvbToyNDY1OTk6OWQxMzFiMDdlYWQ3ZTEyZDMwNTRjM2YzYzdiODkxZjA6MDY2MjMwNWZlYjM1NDlkZTk2YmU2MTIyMDU4Mzk2NWE6MTpkYXRhX3NzLDcwNngxMjgwO2RhdGFfZmIsbm87OjQ0MDQ5NjI&subid=g-28346316-e28809b90893424cada646a213c732ca-&data_ss=706×1280&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P” id=”_GPLITA_0″ href=”#”>start
between the pipes again and Ryan Hartman will remain in the lineup when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Pittsburgh Penguins for a Sunday matinee.
Defenseman Michal Rozsival missed Friday’s game with a shoulder injury but he could return. Fellow blue-liner Kyle Cumiskey, who also played on Friday, could be in Sunday’s lineup as well. It’ll be interesting to see how that pans out.
Ben Smith was a healthy scratch for the first time this season Friday. With Hartman in the lineup, it looks like Smith will be out once again. Smith has been scoreless in his by Deal Top” in_rurl=”http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6ODM0MTg6OTY0MzpsYXN0OjAzODU0ZGNjYjQ4NjA5NTE4MjUyODBmNzU0ODk5MjUwOnotMjIyOS0yODM0NjMxNjp3d3cuc2JuYXRpb24uY29tOjI0NjU5OTo5ZDEzMWIwN2VhZDdlMTJkMzA1NGMzZjNjN2I4OTFmMDo1M2M3NmQ1MGZiMGI0NmI1YTYzZDY1ZTQ0MmYyZDBkYzoxOmRhdGFfc3MsNzA2eDEyODA7ZGF0YV9mYixubzs6ODYxNzQ5NA&subid=g-28346316-e28809b90893424cada646a213c732ca-&data_ss=706×1280&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P” id=”_GPLITA_1″ href=”#”>last 21 games but has been played a role in the Blackhawks’ top-rated penalty kill.
The Blackhawks have turned around their power-play during their eight-game homestand with by Deal Top” style=”background-color: transparent !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; text-indent: 0px !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; text-decoration: underline !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important;”>three scores in the last two games. Marian Hossa scored two and Brandon Saad tipped in the other.
Sunday’s matchup will be the second and final game between the two teams. Chicago grabbed the first game with a 3-2 shootout win on Jan. 21, their final game before the All-Star break. David Rundblad and Hossa scored in regulation, and Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews potted goals in the shootout.
The ‘Hawks had an optional skate Saturday, so we don’t have any lines to share.
Opponent Breakdown: Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh have won four of their last five as they fight for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division with the New York Islanders.
Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby will visit the United Center for only the second time and the first against Toews. Crosby, the NHL media darling, has 58 points (19G, 39A) in 51 games this season. He has tallied four goals and two by Deal Top” in_rurl=”http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6ODM0MTg6OTY0Mzphc3Npc3RhbmNlOjVjNzFiMTRjOTVhNjg0YzY5Y2U3NTFmODJhODc4YTJlOnotMjIyOS0yODM0NjMxNjp3d3cuc2JuYXRpb24uY29tOjI0NjU5OTo5ZDEzMWIwN2VhZDdlMTJkMzA1NGMzZjNjN2I4OTFmMDpmZmI1OTYxYjJjMTA0NWE4YTY1ZmZjNjYyYmYyMDk0OToxOmRhdGFfc3MsNzA2eDEyODA7ZGF0YV9mYixubzs6NTE5MTUyMA&subid=g-28346316-e28809b90893424cada646a213c732ca-&data_ss=706×1280&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P” id=”_GPLITA_3″ href=”#”>assists in his last six games. Expect a lots of commentary comparing Crosby and Toews. Two Cups are better than one, no?
Paul Martin did not skate during the Pens’ practice yesterday after suffering an undisclosed injury Wednesday night against Detroit, but was able to play in Ottawa the next night. Martin will be in the lineup Sunday.
The Penguins are 22-2-1 when leading heading into the third period, so it will be important for Chicago to avoid one of the by Deal Top” style=”background-color: transparent !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; text-indent: 0px !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; text-decoration: underline !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important;”>slow starts they’ve had all to many of this season.
Kunitz-Crosby-Perron
Comeau-Malkin-Hornqvist
Spaling-Sutter-Bennett
Sill/Downie-Lapierre-Adams
The Pens’ five defensemen rotated.
Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start, he is 26-11-5 this season.
Injury Report
Chicago: Trevor van Riemsdyk (knee)
Pittsburgh: Christian Ehroff (head), Olli Maatta (illness) and Pascal Dupuis (blood clots)
Game Information
When: 11:30 a.m. CT
Where: United Center
TV: NBC
Radio: WGN-720
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