|
 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.
[to top of second column] |
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
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
