Tonight’s Slate:
Bruins @ Thrashers, 5:00 ET
Ducks @ Blues, 6:00
Blackhawks @ Wild, 6:00
Maple Leafs @ Capitals, 7:00
Predators @ Oilers, 8:00
Senators @ Canucks, 10:00
Game of the Night:
Chicago Blackhawks (19-6-7) @ Minnesota Wild (17-14-2)
6:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
CHI- Duncan Keith
Keith is one of the more under-appreciated d-men in the league. Last 6 games: 6 points and a +9 rating.
MIN- Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Look for Bouchard to possibly step up with the scratching of Gaborik.
Projected Goaltenders:
CHI- Cristobal Huet (08-09 stats: 8-5-3, 2.39 GAA)
MIN- Niklas Backstrom (08-09 stats: 16-11-2, 2.27 GAA)
Injury Report:
CHI- Adam Burish (toe, out), Cam Barker (undisclosed, questionable)
MIN- Marian Gaborik (groin, out), Marc-Andre Bergeron (lower body, out), Owen Nolan (leg, doubtful), Kurtis Foster (leg, out)
Last Ten Games:
Blackhawks (9-0-1) … Wild (3-6-1)
Season Series:
1-0 Wild
Game Thoughts:
Minnesota’s been struggling the last few weeks, and the suspicious news about Gaborik’s upcoming two-game hiatus won’t help the cause. The Blackhawks are soaring right now, and beat the Flyers 5-1 on Friday night. They’ve won 8 in a row, and I don’t see it stopping tonight.
Prediction: Blackhawks 4, Wild 2
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Bruins over Thrashers
Ducks over Blues
Capitals over Maple Leafs
Predators over Oilers
Canucks over Senators