Saturday, November 01, 2014
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Preview: Blackhawks at Maple Leafs

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[November 01, 2014]  SportsDirect Inc.
 
 Preview: Blackhawks at Maple Leafs
 
 Corey Crawford is expected to make his first start in two weeks when the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Crawford has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since stopping 19-of-20 shots in a 2-1 victory over Nashville on Oct. 18. Antti Raanta started three straight games before Scott Darling did the same - including the Blackhawks' 5-4 shootout victory over Ottawa on Thursday.

The offensive explosion certainly was a welcome sight for Chicago, which mustered just six goals in its previous four contests. Toronto hasn't had any issue finding the back of the net, scoring 14 goals while winning three of its last four contests. Playing in his 500th career game, Daniel Winnik joined Phil Kessel with a tally and two assists apiece in the Maple Leafs' 4-1 triumph over Columbus on Friday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHLN, CSN Chicago, CBC (Toronto)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (6-3-1): Marian Hossa became the 80th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-point plateau - and the fifth to do so with Chicago, joining Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Denis Savard and Michel Goulet. "It's awesome," captain Jonathan Toews said. "He just keeps working and keeps getting better and better at this stage of his career. ... He's a class act and one of the best to play the game." Toews isn't too shabby in his own right, scoring twice on Thursday to double his season total.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (5-4-1): Prior to Friday's tilt, Toronto learned that Joffrey Lupul will be sidelined indefinitely with a broken bone in his right hand. "It was kind of a surprise to everyone that it was actually broken," coach Randy Carlyle said. "But then the game goes on. That's what you have to do (and) we found a way to get the job done." Carter Ashton replaced Lupul in the lineup and registered two hits in just over 7 1/2 minutes of ice time.

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OVERTIME

1. The Maple Leafs have struggled at Air Canada Centre, posting a 2-4-0 mark as opposed to a 3-0-1 record on the road.

2. Raanta will remain Chicago's backup goaltender as Darling was assigned to Rockford of the American Hockey League on Friday.

3. Toronto has scored a power-play goal in consecutive games after going 0-for-19 in its previous five contests.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Maple Leafs 2

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