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 Keith’s presence adds to a group that is led by Patrick Kane, whose
30 points topped the league through Wednesday and boasts at least
one in 14 consecutive games. Kane and Keith will try to exploit a
Calgary team that stands last in the NHL in goals against per game
(3.65) and near the bottom in penalty killing (75 percent). The
Flames have been better of late with four wins in their last seven
games, including a 3-2 triumph Tuesday against New Jersey, but
dropped a 4-1 decision at Chicago on Sunday. “It wasn’t total
domination, but you’ve gotta win games like these,” Calgary forward
Matt Stajan told reporters after Tuesday’s victory. “There’s going
to be a lot of close ones like this.”
TV: 9 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, SNET-West (Calgary)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (11-7-1): Kane notched his ninth multi-point
outing of the season with a pair of assists in Wednesday’s 4-3
overtime victory at Edmonton that began a six-game road trip. Rookie
Artemi Panarin continues to shine in his first NHL voyage with a
six-game point streak and five goals in his last five contests while
newcomer Artem Anisimov has six points in his past five outings.
Forward Teuvo Teravainen (four goals, nine points, 18 games) left
Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury and is questionable for
Friday.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (7-12-1): Calgary has strung together three
straight victories at home and will have a big five-game stretch at
their Saddledome to start December. “We’re getting that kind of
attitude back where teams are going to have to come in and earn the
points,” Flames center Joe Colborne told reporters. “I think that’s
huge.” Johnny Gaudreau is among the league leaders in assists (14)
and tops Calgary with 18 points while Sean Monahan recorded three
points in the last three games to move into second on the team with
14.
[to top of second column] |
OVERTIME
1. Calgary RW David Jones leads the team with seven goals – four of
which have come in the past five games.
2. The Blackhawks have gained at least a point in 10 straight
contests against the Flames (7-0-3).
3. Chicago captain C Jonathan Toews led the NHL in faceoff
percentage (60.9) entering Thursday’s games.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 5, Flames 3
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