Chicago Blackhawks (0-0-0) vs Detroit Red Wings (0-0-0)
7pm CDT, United Center – Chicago, IL
No TV or radio coverage, audio stream will be available on WGN’s website
Preseason sports, in my opinion, is pretty pointless in any sport. Fans will get overly excited about some kid that is a week away from bagging groceries. Coaches will get fans riled about by using the time to experiment with some different looks and everyone will worry about a star player being lost to injury during an exhibition game. So with that being said, the Blackhawks welcome in the Detroit Red Wings to play their first of six preseason games.
Of the major players, Jonathan Toews is still nursing a lower body injury and will most likely sit out until the weekend. Coach Q said Marian Hossa will not suit up tonight but should get in the lineup on Thursday night versus the Penguins. Corey Crawford is going to start and is expected to play the entire game. Antti Rannta will serve as his back up. One player fans in attendance should be excited to see is 2012 1st round pick Teuvo Teravainen, who will be sporting number 23 tonight.
The Red Wings will be without quite a few of their familiar faces including Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg and Jimmy Howard. The two newest Wings, Stephen Wiess and Daniel Alfredsson will both make the trip to Chicago.
You can check out the complete rosters for tonight’s game here, courtesy of blackhawks.com.