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 "The last two, we've been in a little bit of a funk," Chicago
superstar Patrick Kane said after scoring his team-leading 33rd goal
in a 4-2 loss to Dallas on Thursday. "We'll work ourselves out of
it, just like we always do, and come back ready to play Saturday."
While the Blackhawks have struggled to start their homestand, the
Ducks have followed a five-game winning streak by dropping two of
the first three contests on their seven-game road trip. David Perron
extended his point total to 10 (four goals, six assists) in as many
contests after scoring a goal and setting up another in Anaheim's
4-3 setback to Columbus on Thursday.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Prime Ticket (Anaheim), WGN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (26-19-8): Forward Chris Stewart was sent to Anaheim
on Friday to undergo a medical examination to test for a broken jaw
following his fight with Blue Jackets defenseman Dalton Prout. "It's
a big loss for us," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau told the Orange
County Register of Stewart, who has scored eight goals and set up 10
others this season. "He's played extremely well for us. ... He's
been a really good team player and leader actually for this team."
Anaheim reached out to San Diego of the American Hockey League and
recalled forward Nick Ritchie, who collected 15 goals and 13 assists
with the Gulls this season.
[to top of second column] |
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (36-18-4): Corey Crawford, who was rocked for
four goals on 18 shots on Thursday, has dominated Anaheim in his
career. The two-time Jennings Trophy recipient improved to 11-4-1
with three shutouts and a 1.77 goals-against average versus the
Ducks after stopping 62-of-64 shots en route to winning both
encounters this season. Captain Jonathan Toews has scored two goals
and set up three in his last four games and tallied in overtime to
give Chicago a 1-0 victory over Anaheim on Oct. 26.
OVERTIME
1. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters that rookie LW
Artemi Panarin could return to the lineup Saturday after sitting out
the last two games due to illness.
2. Ducks G Frederik Andersen has secured at least one point in each
of his last eight decisions (6-0-2).
3. Chicago is 12-2-2 versus Pacific Division representatives while
Anaheim is 6-6-2 versus Central Division foes.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Ducks 1
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