The Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs will both aim to bounce back from losses on Sunday night when they faceoff at the United Center.
The two Original Six teams both fell Saturday. The Maple Leafs have now lost back-to-back games following a six-game winning streak, while the Blackhawks had won 10 of 11 before a loss in Columbus on Saturday.
The two teams meet for the second and final time this regular season. Chicago dropped a 3-2 decision in Toronto on Nov. 1. The Blackhawks have won four in a row at home over the Maple Leafs.
The Blackhawks welcomed back starting goaltender Corey Crawford against the Blue Jackets and he made 17 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss. He had missed the previous eight games with an left-leg injury.
Patrick Sharp and Ben Smith tallied for Chicago in regulation, which had a 13-game winning streak over the Blue Jackets. It was Sharp’s first goal since returning to play on Dec. 9 from injury. The goal was his fifth of the season, but his first at even strength.
Crawford is 2-1-0 against the Leafs, posting a 3.02 goals-against average and .889 save percentage. Backup netminder Antti Raanta will get the start. He was blitzed for five goals on 25 shots in his only meeting against the Leafs.
Brad Richards will be sidelined with an upper-body injury. He is considered day-to-day.
Opponent Breakdown: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto was nailed 7-4 by the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. The Leafs had leads of 2-0 and 3-2 after the first period, but fell for the first time in 15 games this season when scoring first.
Joffrey Lupul scored a goal and an assist while James van Riemsdyk, Peter Holland and David Clarkson all scored for the Leafs. Jonathan Bernier allowed all seven goals on 41 shots, while James Reimer played the final 10 1/2 minutes in relief and stopped the one shot he faced.
Phil Kessel and James vanRiemsdyk lead the Leafs’ offensive attack, combining for 65 points in 33 games so far. Kessel ranks fifth in the league with a team-high 17 goals and 19 assists.
The game in Chicago starts a seven-game road trip for the Leafs that runs through Jan. 3. Bernier is 1-2-0 in three outings against the Blackhawks with a 3.04 GAA and .906 save percentage, while Reimer is 1-1-0 with a 4.20 GAA and .894 save percentage in two appearances.
Injury Report
Chicago: Trevor vanRiemsdyk (knee)
Toronto: Leo Komarov (upper-body)
Game Information
When: 6 p.m. CT
Where: United Center
TV: WGN
Radio: WGN-720
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