Preview: Blackhawks at Panthers
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[February 26, 2015]
The Chicago Blackhawks begin life
without superstar Patrick Kane when they complete a home-and-home series
at the Florida Panthers on Thursday. The 2013 Conn Smythe Trophy winner
is expected to be sidelined approximately 12 weeks after undergoing
surgery to repair a broken left clavicle on Wednesday, one day after
crashing into the boards following a cross-check from defenseman Alex
Petrovic in Chicago's 3-2 shootout win over Florida. Kane promptly was
placed on long-term injured reserve and would be in line to return
should the Blackhawks reach the Western Conference final.
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The Panthers dropped three straight to finish a 2-2-1 road trip
and reside two points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in
the Eastern Conference. Despite the struggles, veteran goaltender
Roberto Luongo told reporters the team has high hopes as it begins a
season-high seven-game homestand. "We don't give up," Luongo said.
"It's exciting to be in a playoff race at this time of year, but we
have a lot of work to do. ... But we want to keep growing and
getting better and have a chance to sneak in."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, RSN, CSN Chicago, FSN Florida
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ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (36-20-5): Patrick Sharp, who is expected to
replace Kane on the team's second line, has recorded just a pair of
5-on-5 goals this season and 10 overall. Chicago recalled top
prospect Teuvo Teravainen from Rockford of the American Hockey
League to take the roster spot of Kane, who leads the Blackhawks in
goals (27), assists (37) and points (league high-tying 64). The
20-year-old Teravainen has scored two goals and set up two others
over 15 games with Chicago, which also assigned rookie defenseman
Trevor van Riemsdyk to the IceHogs.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (26-21-13): Vincent Trocheck has put his best
foot forward since being recalled from San Antonio, setting up his
team's lone goal in a 5-1 setback to Pittsburgh on Sunday before
scoring against Chicago two nights later. Jussi Jokinen also tallied
versus the Blackhawks, marking just his second goal since the
Christmas break. Brad Boyes notched an assist on Tuesday and resides
one goal shy of 200 for his career.
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OVERTIME
1. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews has scored in back-to-back
contests and has three goals and four assists in his last eight
games.
2. Florida is 0-for-9 on the power play in its last four contests
and 2-for-23 in the last eight.
3. Blackhawks G Corey Crawford was pulled in his last start and has
dropped three straight decisions (0-2-1), but he owns a 3-1-0 career
mark with a 1.88 goals-against average versus Florida.
PREDICTION: Panthers 3, Blackhawks 2
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