Game Preview : Southern Cal Breakfast Cereal Shortage

Chicago Blackhawks (53 pts 25-4-3) vs Anaheim Ducks (48 pts 22-7-4)7:30 pm United Center - Chicago, IL.TV: CSN Chicago INHL Network)Radio: WGN 720 AM

Season Series

Date	Score	W. Goal
Mar 29 '13
Mar 20 '13	CHI 2 at ANA 4	T. Selanne
Feb 12 '13	ANA 3 at CHI 2 - SO	C. Perry

Apparently all the Anaheim area supermarkets have run out of Lucky Charms because the Ducks have looked not so mighty since the last time we saw them. In fact they have lost all four games since they defeated the Hawks back on March 20th. The Blackhawks have only taken one point from the Ducks this year. They have held 3rd period leads in both of meetings but had late game collarless in each game. Ray Emery is being rewarded for his shutout against the Flames on Tuesday with his second straight start. This will be Razor's first look at his former team this year and only his fourth career start against the Ducks. He is 1-1-1 with a 1.97 and a .938 save % in his three previous starts. Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa both participated in practice this morning but neither will play tonight. The Hawks are taking their time getting these two stars on the ice which is fine with me. As long as they are not on the Derrick Rose rehab schedule, where they are waiting from the ok from God to play, I have no problem with the extra time off. The Hawks can put a stranglehold on the top seed in the Western Conference with a win tonight. A victory would give the Blackhawks a seven point lead over the Ducks with 15 games to play.

The Ducks have gone ice cold since their big 3rd period against the Hawks nine days ago. The latest of their four losses came on Wednesday night where they were embarrassed on home ice by the Sharks 4-0. The have been out scored 16-5 during the four game losing streak which includes a pair of home and home sweeps by the Red Wings and San Jose. Corey Perry, who was still suspended a week ago Wednesday, has a goal and two assists since his return. Perry has been a pain in the ass against the Blackhawks with 26 points (11 G, 15 A) in 28 career games. Jonas Hiller, who gave up all 4 goals to the Sharks in his last start, will be in between the pipes tonight. He looks for his 2nd straight win versus the Hawks a team he has good success against in his career (8-4-2, 2.39, .926, 1).

Probable Blackhawks lineup

Fowards

Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Michael Frolik

Jimmy Hayes - Dave Bolland - Patrick Kane

Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Viktor Stalberg

Dan Carcillo - Marcus Kruger - Jamal Mayers

Defensive Pairings

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook

Johnny Oduya - Niklas Hjalmarsson

Nick Leddy - Michal Rozsival

Goaltender

Ray Emery 12-0-0, 2.09 GAA, .920 save %, 1 SO