Following Saturday’s thrilling come-from-behind victory, the Chicago Blackhawks return to the United Center this evening to face the San Jose Sharks in a battle between two division-leading teams. Both the Hawks (21-8-4) and the Sharks (19-11-1) come into the contest riding four-game winning streaks, with each team winning its last three games on the road.
Artem Anisimov will be out of the lineup Sunday with an upper back injury. Anisimov was listed as day-to-day with an injury last night in St. Louis. His production on his line with Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin has been extremely valuable, as the trio has posted a total of eight goals in the last four games. For the year, Anisimov has scored 14 goals and earned 27 points (good for third-most on the team).
There was speculation heading into the game on who would start in goal for the Hawks. Scott Darling has been nothing short of outstanding in net, as Corey Crawford continues to recover from his appendectomy. Darling has only surrendered 16 goals in his last eight starts, but the last two games have seen Darling give up a total of eight goals. Despite his recent struggles, Darling will start in goal over Lars Johansson.
The Hawks will look to continue their offensive production as they have scored 11 goals in their last two contests. Panarin has been responsible for three of those goals, as he comes into the contest having contributed nine points in his last four games. Chicago currently owns the highest point total in the NHL with 46, and will look to extend its lead in the Central at home.
San Jose enters the game riding a four-game win streak of its own, with the last three victories coming on the road. Two of those victories were back-to-back shootout wins on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. Defenseman Brent Burns leads the team with 29 points this season, with center Joe Pavelski following close behind with 27. Burns has earned nine points in his last five games, and will look to continue that streak in Chicago.
In their last matchup, Chicago fell to San Jose, 2-1, in the SAP Center on Nov. 23.
For more on the San Jose Sharks, check out SB Nation’s Fear the Fin.
Lineups
Blackhawks
Forwards
Artemi Panarin – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane
Ryan Hartman – Vincent Hinostroza – Marian Hossa
Dennis Rasmussen- Marcus Kruger- Richard Panik
Tyler Motte – Andrew Desjardins – Jordin Tootoo
Defensemen
Duncan Keith – Niklas Hjalmarsson
Brian Campbell – Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling – Trevor van Riemsdyk
Goalie
Scott Darling
Sharks
Forwards
Patrick Marleau – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski
Kevin Labanc – Logan Couture – Mikkel Boedker
Timo Meier – Chris Tierney – Joonas Donskoi
Micheal Haley – Tommy Wingels – Melker Karlsson
Defensemen
Paul Martin – Brent Burns
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Brenden Dillon – David Schlemko
Goalie
Martin Jones
How to watch Blackhawks vs. Sharks
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Where: United Center (Chicago, IL)
TV: WGN