Preview : Blackhawks vs Capitals Numerology

Chicago Blackhawks (0-0-0) vs Washington Capitals (0-0-0)

7pm CDT United Center - Chicago, IL

TV: NBCSN

Radio: WGN 720 AM

3.4 million-The annual raise Bryan Bickell got in the offseason. Let's hope he lives up to the deal.

5428-The number miles Alexander Ovechkin traveled from Athens, Greece to Chicago for tonight's game.

87-The number of games played between these two franchises. The Blackhawks have a 40-34-11-2 all time record versus Washington.

62- Total points Capitals coach Adam Oates scored against the Blackhawks, in 60 games, during his playing career (11 G, 51 A)

26.8-The Capitals power play conversion during the 2013 season.

24-The number of goals scored by Ovechkin in the last 23 regular season games last year. He scored only one in the playoffs.

5-The number of Stanley Cup banners that will hang from the United Center rafters after tonight.

3-The number of defending Stanley Cup Champions to win on their banner raising night in the last ten seasons. (Penguins in 09, Ducks in 07 and Avalanche in 01).

2.39- Career goals against average for Braden Holtby in 57 career games.

0-The number of preseason games Brooks Laich, Marian Hossa and Michal Handzus played in. All three are expected to play tonight.

Probable Blackhawks Lineup

Forwards

Bryan Bickell - Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp - Michal Handzus - Marian Hossa
Brandon Saad - Andrew Shaw -Jimmy Hayes
Brandon Bollig - Marcus Kruger - Joakim Nordstrom

Defensive Pairings

Duncan Keith -Brent Seabrook
Johnny Oduya -Niklas Hjalmarsson
Nick Leddy - Michal Rozsival

Goaltender

Corey Crawford

Injuries

None

Probable Capitals Lineup

Forwards

Marcus Johansson - Nicklas Backstrom - Alex Ovechkin
Brooks Laich - Mikhail Grabovski - Troy Brouwer
Jason Chimera - Eric Fehr - Joel Ward
Martin Erat - Michael Latta - Tom Wilson

Defensive Pairings

Karl Alzner - Mike Green
John Erskine - John Carlson
Jack Hillen - Connor Carrick

Goaltender

Braden Holtby

Injuries

None