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Preview: Blackhawks at Canucks
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 [January 16, 2018]
The Christmas break could not
come at a better time for the Chicago Blackhawks, who followed a
five-game winning streak by dropping two in a row to kick off a
season-high six-game road trip. Chicago looks to get back on track
during the western Canada portion of its trek with a visit to the
Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.
The Blackhawks received a proverbial lump of coal in their stockings
with the news that netminder Corey Crawford was placed on injured
reserve Wednesday. Crawford, who was yanked in the first period of
Saturday's 4-1 loss at New Jersey, will miss at least the next three
games. Vancouver also has been hit hard by injuries, losing
productive forwards Sven Baertschi and Bo Horvat earlier in December
for at least a month each. The Canucks are reeling with losses in
four straight and eight of their last nine (1-7-1), including five
of their last six games at home.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN Chicago, Sportsnet 360, SN East, SN One, SN
Pacific (Vancouver)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (17-13-5): Crawford, who is third in the NHL in
save percentage (.929) and fourth in goals-against average (2.27)
showed his importance to the club when he missed the first three
games this month and Chicago dropped all three. Upon his return,
Crawford backstopped the Blackhawks to a five-give winning streak
while surrendering a scant seven goals. Anton Forsberg (1-4-3, 3.13
GAA), whose lone win was Nov. 11 at Carolina, is expected to start
the next three games.
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ABOUT THE CANUCKS (15-17-5): Despite the loss of linemates Baertschi
and Horvat to long-term injuries, Brock Boeser continues to carry
Vancouver's offense, scoring in three straight games and seven of
the last nine to reach 20 on the season. The team's first-round
draft pick in 2015, Boeser leads all NHL rookies in goals and
averages a point per game. "It means a lot, but it's obviously a lot
better if we're getting the results we want," Boeser told reporters.
"It's a tough stretch right now."
OVERTIME
1. Blackhawks F Patrick Kane has five goals in his last five games,
including career No. 300 in Saturday's loss.
2. Vancouver has surrendered nine power-play goals in the past seven
games.
3. Chicago recalled G Jeff Glass and F David Kampf from Rockford of
the American Hockey League.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Canucks 2
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