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 The Blackhawks have a better road record (19-12-1) than San Jose’s
home mark (17-15-5), but the Sharks are 11-4-1 against Central
Division opponents. San Jose’s home power play operates at an
impressive 24.6 percent efficiency, but Chicago is one of the
league’s best penalty-killing teams on the road. Corey Crawford will
start for the Blackhawks, while Antti Niemi is expected to get the
nod for the Sharks.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Sportsnet, WGN, CSN California
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (40-21-6): Brad Richards scored in Thursday's
2-1 triumph over Arizona for his 900th career point, snapping a
23-game goal drought in the process. Defenseman Johnny Oduya
returned versus the Coyotes after missing six games with an
upper-body injury and logged 20:59 of ice time. Injured forward
Patrick Kane leads the team with 15 goals on the road, while no
other Chicago player has more than eight.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (34-26-8): Niemi made 35 saves in Thursday's 2-0
victory over Nashville for his 32nd career shutout. Veteran Joe
Thornton fired back at comments by general manager Doug Wilson, who
suggested Thornton couldn't handle the pressures of being captain,
telling the San Jose Mercury News that “Doug needs to shut his
mouth.” Joe Pavelski leads the team in goals with 32, but has not
scored in four games.
[to top of second column] |
OVERTIME
1. Thornton has a goal and three assists in the previous two
meetings with Chicago.
2. Blackhawks F Joakim Nordstrom was suspended two games for
boarding Arizona D Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
3. San Jose finishes March on a seven-game road trip - largely
against Eastern Conference opponents - following Saturday’s contest.
PREDICTION: Sharks 3, Blackhawks 2
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