Game Preview : Roster Shuffle Continues
Chicago Blackhawks (66 pts 31-5-4) @ St Louis Blues (48 pts 23-15-2) 11:30 AM Scottrade Center - 3rd Layer of Hell (St Louis,MO)TV: NBCRadio: 97.9 FM The Loop (AC/DC and Led Zep fans are going to pissed!)
Season Series
| Date | Score | W. Goal |
| Apr 27 '13 | ||
| Apr 14 '13 | ||
| Apr 04 '13 | STL 4 at CHI 3 - SO | K. Shattenkirk |
| Feb 28 '13 | CHI 3 at STL 0 | J. Toews |
| Jan 22 '13 | STL 2 at CHI 3 | V. Stalberg |
The Blackhawks play a wonderful Sunday morning game in St Louis today and just can't seem to get the roster healthy. Dave Bolland will make his return to the lineup but Patrick Sharp will miss today's game and most likely tomorrow's game versus the Stars too. Sharp's injury is being classified as an upper body injury. Q would not confirm if it was the same shoulder that kept in out for about a month, but I would be shocked if it wasn't. 2013 Hobey Baker Award winner Drew LeBlanc will not see any action the next two days, but he could crack the lineup over the last 7 games. Corey Crawford will get the start in net today and will look to improve on his 8-1-2 career record versus St. Louis.
Just a couple of weeks ago the Blues were in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs but a recent hot streak has them up to the 6th seed, The biggest reason for this recent hot streak is that Brian Elliott has reclaimed his magic from the 2011-12 season. Elliott has had shutouts in each of his last 3 starts and has only given up 4 goals in his last 5 starts. The additions of defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold have seemed to have helped Elliott regain his form from last season.
Probable Blackhawks lineup
Forwards
Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa
Daniel Carcillo - Dave Bolland - Patrick Kane
Bryan Bickell - Michal Handzus - Viktor Stalberg
Andrew Shaw - Marcus Kruger - Michael Frolik
Defensive Pairings
Duncan Keith - Niklas Hjalmarsson
Nick Leddy - Brent Seabrook
Johnny Oduya - Sheldon Brookbank
Goaltender
Corey Crawford 16-4-4, 2.00 GAA, .923 save %, 2 SO
Injuries
Patrick Sharp (upper body) OUT
Leading Scorers
| Player | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PP | GW |
| P. Kane | 40 | 20 | 26 | 46 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
| J. Toews | 40 | 20 | 21 | 41 | 24 | 23 | 2 | 4 |
| M. Hossa | 33 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 5 |
| B. Saad | 39 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| D. Keith | 40 | 2 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 29 | 1 | 0 |
Probable Blues lineup
Forwards
David Perron - David Backes - Alex Steen
Jaden Schwartz - Patrik Berglund - Chris Stewart
Andy McDonald - Vladimir Sobotka - Vladimir Tarasenko
Adam Cracknell - Chris Porter - Ryan Reaves
Defensive Pairings
Jay Bouwmeester - Alex Pietrangelo
Jordan Leopold - Kevin Shattenkirk
Barret Jackman - Roman Polak
Goaltender
Brian Elliot 8-6-1, 2.68 GAA, .892 save %, 3 SO
Injuries
Jaroslav Halak (groin) OUT, T.J. Oshie (foot) OUT, Scott Nichol (lower body) OUT
Leading Scorers
| Player | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PP | GW |
| C. Stewart | 40 | 16 | 15 | 31 | 3 | 38 | 4 | 3 |
| A. Steen | 32 | 7 | 18 | 25 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| D. Perron | 40 | 9 | 14 | 23 | -1 | 38 | 2 | 2 |
| D. Backes | 40 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 2 | 48 | 1 | 1 |
| P. Berglund | 40 | 15 | 7 | 22 | -2 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| CHI | STATS | STL |
| 40 | GP | 40 |
| 31 | W | 23 |
| 5 | L | 15 |
| 4 | OT | 2 |
| 66 | P | 48 |
| 0.825 | P% | 0.6 |
| 3.15 | G/G | 2.68 |
| 2.02 | GA/G | 2.52 |
| 16.3 | PP% | 20.5 |
| 85.5 | PK% | 84.4 |
| 31.4 | S/G | 27.6 |
| 26.1 | SA/G | 24.2 |
| 50.9 | FO% | 49.8 |
