Game Preview : Start Strong Finish Stronger
Chicago Blackhawks (72 pts 34-5-4) vs Phoenix Coyotes (44 ots 18-17-8)7:30 PM United Center - Chicago ILTV: WGNRadio:97.9 FM The Loop
Season Series
| Date | Score | W. Goal |
| Apr 20 '13 | ||
| Feb 07 '13 | CHI 6 at PHX 2 | D. Bolland |
| Jan 20 '13 | CHI 6 at PHX 4 | M. Hossa |
The Chicago Blackhawks started this short season white hot and they are finishing it up just as hot. They have won their last seven games and are 9-0-1 since their last loss to the Ducks on 3/29. The Hawks played down their competition last night in their overtime win over Nashville. They could have the same problem tonight as the Coyotes come in on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs go. A win tonight, and the Blackhawks can sweep yet another seasons series from a Western Conference foe. I wouldn't expect any changes to the lines from last night. Q won't speak to the media until 5:30, so we won't know who gets the start in goal until then. Right now I am going to guess Corey Crawford will get the call again. He has been well rested of late so going back to back nights shouldn't be too big of an issue.
The Coyotes are currently 5 points out of a playoff spot with 5 games to go, but will have to leap frog over 3 teams to get there. Needless to say the Yotes are going to have to win out and get some help in order to sneak into the post season. With the Raffi Torres story line having been removed after his trade to San Jose, it would be nice to be the team that delivers the death blow to the 2013 Coyotes. Head coach Dave Tippett mentioned to the media that injured goal Mike Smith could return to action tonight. Considering the Hawks have lit Smith up for 12 goals in two games this year, he may want to hold him out for one more night. If Smith doesn't go, Chad Johnson will make his first career start against the Hawks.
Probable Blackhawks lineup
Forwards
Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa
Dan Carcillo - Dave Bolland - Patrick Kane
Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Viktor Stalberg
Marcus Kruger - Michal Handzus - Michael Frolik
Defensive Pairings
Duncan Keith - Niklas Hjalmarsson
Nick Leddy - Brent Seabrook
Johnny Oduya - Sheldon Brookbank
Goaltender
Corey Crawford 18-4-4, 2.00 GAA, .923 save %, 3 SO
Injuries
Patrick Sharp (upper body) OUT, Ray Emery (lower body) OUT, Michal Rozsival (upper body) OUT
Leading Scorers
| Player | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PP | GW |
| P. Kane | 43 | 21 | 28 | 49 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| J. Toews | 43 | 21 | 25 | 46 | 28 | 25 | 2 | 4 |
| M. Hossa | 36 | 17 | 12 | 29 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 6 |
| D. Keith | 43 | 3 | 23 | 26 | 18 | 31 | 2 | 0 |
| B. Saad | 42 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
Probable Coyotes lineup
Forwards
Radim Vrbata - Martin Hanzal - Shane Doan
Chris Conner - Antoine Vermette - Mikkel Boedker
Rob Klinkhammer - Boyd Gordon - David Moss
David Schlemko - Chris Brown - Kyle Chipchura
Defensive Pairings
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Zbynek Michalek
Keith Yandle - Derek Morris
Michael Stone - Rostislav Klesla
Goaltender
Chad Johnson 2-0-2, 1.22 GAA, .954 SO, 1 SO
Injuries
Mike Smith (lower body) questionable, Lauri Korpikoski (upper body) OUT
Leading Scorers
| Player | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PP | GW |
| M. Boedker | 43 | 7 | 18 | 25 | -1 | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| S. Doan | 43 | 13 | 11 | 24 | 5 | 31 | 0 | 2 |
| K. Yandle | 43 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 1 | 44 | 4 | 2 |
| R. Vrbata | 29 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| O. Ekman-Larsson | 43 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 6 | 24 | 0 | 1 |
| PHX | Stats | CHI |
| 43 | GP | 43 |
| 18 | W | 34 |
| 17 | L | 5 |
| 8 | OT | 4 |
| 44 | P | 72 |
| 0.512 | P% | 0.837 |
| 2.51 | G/G | 3.21 |
| 2.58 | GA/G | 2.02 |
| 14.9 | PP% | 16.6 |
| 82.7 | PK% | 86.4 |
| 30.6 | S/G | 31.2 |
| 30.2 | SA/G | 26 |
| 52.2 | FO% | 50.9 |
