A review of this evening's NHL action:
Blackhawks 4, Canadiens 3
CHICAGO, Ill. - Brandon Saad broke a 3-3 tie with 27 seconds left in regulation to sneak the Chicago Blackhawks past the struggling Montreal Canadiens 4-3 Friday night.
"It got deflected and ended up right on my stick, so I'm thankful for that," Saad said afterwards of his shot.
Chicago (17-8-1) secured their fifth-straight victory as the Canadiens drop the fifth of their last six outings.
The Blackhawks' 1st-ranked penalty-kill was on duty for eight minutes of the second period, eventually allowing P.K. Subban's goal on the advantage and the brief 3-2 Montreal lead.
But captain Jonathan Toews would help secure the win, adding two more points on the night, including his 11th goal this season that evened it at 3 per side.
His assist, alongside Patrick Kane, preceded Saad's game-winner.
Carey Price allowed 4-of-36 shots in net for the Canadiens (17-9-2), who travel to Dallas tomorrow.
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Anaheim 5, Minnesota 4
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Ducks center Ryan Kesler left the ice Friday night with three points, scoring two goals and assisting a third as Anaheim skated past Minnesota 5-4.
Kesler needed all of 1:31 to strike for the visitors, and Jakob Silfverberg gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead after the first period.
Kesler added again at 2:28 of the second, flinging one past Darcy Kuemper for the three-goal advantage.
But the Wild weren't through, and their comeback bid began from an unlikely source: their 29th-ranked power-play.
Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise both found the net within 11 seconds of each other in two 5-on-4 sessions, bringing the home side within a goal.
Jonas Brodin scored his first this season and Justin Fontaine gave the Wild a 4-3 lead near the start of the third period, but Tim Jackman and Matt Beleskey would finish the frame, and the Wild.
Anaheim downed the Wild in their last contest, and the two teams will meet again on March 13th in St. Paul.
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Jets 6, Avalanche 2
WINNIPEG, Mb. - Bryan Little's hat-trick swept the Winnipeg Jets to a 6-2 decision over the Colorado Avalanche Friday night.
He scored halfway through the first period and twice within a 32 second span in the third, all assisted by Blake Wheeler.
Little would assist on Andrew Ladd's strike 45 seconds into the middle frame for the 3-1 Jets lead.
Host Winnipeg outshot Colorado 16-4 in the first period, and 26-9 through the second, finishing with 37 shots to Colorado's 22 on goal.
Michael Hutchinson saved 20 shots for Winnipeg (14-9-4) in victory.
Jerome Iginla gave the Avalanche (9-12-6) their two goals, his 5th and 6th on the season, assisted each time by Gabriel Landeskog.
Showing posts with label Chicago Blackhawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Blackhawks. Show all posts
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Friday, December 5, 2014
Canadiens-Blackhawks preview
CHICAGO, Ill. - United Center will host the Chicago Blackhawks' bid for a fifth-straight victory Friday night when they host the slumping Montreal Canadiens in a battle of Original Six programs.
Chicago (16-8-1) went 4-1 on a recent road trip while the circus invaded their arena, and their winning ways continued Wednesday night when they returned home, handing a 4-1 decision to their rival St. Louis Blues.
It would be a flurry of scoring in the third period of that game that decided the outcome, a three-goal final session for the Blackhawks, including two scores from Patrick Kane.
The first of those three came 59 seconds into the period, from Kris Versteeg, before Kane struck twice within five minutes.
Kane has eight goals and seven assists over his last nine appearances for Chicago, and his 12 goals and 25 points lead the team.
The Blackhawks have outscored opponents 15-5 during their four-game winning streak, all against top teams in the Western Conference.
"We've been playing the right way, particularly lately," head coach Joel Quenneville said. "Eventually, you get your turn."
A turn that includes the best penalty-kill in hockey (92 pct), and which held St. Louis to a 0-for-6 mark when skating a man down Wednesday.
Antti Raanta (2-2-0) will sit in net for the Blackhawks after starter Corey Crawford hurt his foot at a recent concert and will miss at least two weeks.
He stopped 40-of-41 shots he faced against the Blues in his first start since falling to that team Oct. 25th.
"I like how he challenged," Quenneville said of Raanta. "I think he was comfortable meeting pucks. I thought he was good finding pucks."
Montreal (17-8-2) will be seeking revenge after falling to the Blackhawks 5-0 at the Bell Centre Nov. 4th, and have lost three of their last four meetings.
They recorded six-straight victories since that shutout loss, though have gone 1-3-1 in their last five and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota Wednesday, a game in which they were outshot 35-19.
Max Pacioretty holds the Canadiens' most points (20) and goals (12).
"When we have success, it's for a reason," Pacioretty said Thursday. "We're all on the same page, and we all play a certain way."
Montreal would have been shutout by the Wild were it not for Alex Galenchuyk, putting the Canadiens on the board with 58 seconds left in the game.
Tomas Plekanec is second for the Canadiens with 18 points, though has none in his last five games, and Montreal as a team has averaged only 1.88 goals per game in their last eight, after scoring 2.68 before then.
"When we get away from that," Pacioretty said, "we're just another team. When we play the way we're capable of, that's when we have success and that's when we're a great team."
Chicago (16-8-1) went 4-1 on a recent road trip while the circus invaded their arena, and their winning ways continued Wednesday night when they returned home, handing a 4-1 decision to their rival St. Louis Blues.
It would be a flurry of scoring in the third period of that game that decided the outcome, a three-goal final session for the Blackhawks, including two scores from Patrick Kane.
The first of those three came 59 seconds into the period, from Kris Versteeg, before Kane struck twice within five minutes.
Kane has eight goals and seven assists over his last nine appearances for Chicago, and his 12 goals and 25 points lead the team.
The Blackhawks have outscored opponents 15-5 during their four-game winning streak, all against top teams in the Western Conference.
"We've been playing the right way, particularly lately," head coach Joel Quenneville said. "Eventually, you get your turn."
A turn that includes the best penalty-kill in hockey (92 pct), and which held St. Louis to a 0-for-6 mark when skating a man down Wednesday.
Antti Raanta (2-2-0) will sit in net for the Blackhawks after starter Corey Crawford hurt his foot at a recent concert and will miss at least two weeks.
He stopped 40-of-41 shots he faced against the Blues in his first start since falling to that team Oct. 25th.
"I like how he challenged," Quenneville said of Raanta. "I think he was comfortable meeting pucks. I thought he was good finding pucks."
Montreal (17-8-2) will be seeking revenge after falling to the Blackhawks 5-0 at the Bell Centre Nov. 4th, and have lost three of their last four meetings.
They recorded six-straight victories since that shutout loss, though have gone 1-3-1 in their last five and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota Wednesday, a game in which they were outshot 35-19.
Max Pacioretty holds the Canadiens' most points (20) and goals (12).
"When we have success, it's for a reason," Pacioretty said Thursday. "We're all on the same page, and we all play a certain way."
Montreal would have been shutout by the Wild were it not for Alex Galenchuyk, putting the Canadiens on the board with 58 seconds left in the game.
Tomas Plekanec is second for the Canadiens with 18 points, though has none in his last five games, and Montreal as a team has averaged only 1.88 goals per game in their last eight, after scoring 2.68 before then.
"When we get away from that," Pacioretty said, "we're just another team. When we play the way we're capable of, that's when we have success and that's when we're a great team."
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Kane strikes twice in 3rd as Hawks down Blues
CHICAGO, Ill. - Things were going along very quietly at the United Center between the Blues and Blackhawks as they renewed their 45 year rivalry.
It was a pleasant, some would say sleepy, evening as both sides entered the final session in a 1-1 stalemate.
That was, until someone woke up the Blackhawks.
A flurry of scoring in the third period overpowered Chicago to a 4-1 defeat of the St. Louis Blues Wednesday night.
Chicago (16-8-1) needed all of 59 seconds to launch their blitzkrieg and send their stunned rivals back to Missouri.
After mustering a single goal in 41 minutes, they fired 3 past Jake Allen in a span of 4:20.
"It was big to start the third off that way. Just wait for them to press and make mistakes," Patrick Kane said afterwards.
Captain Jonathan Toews found himself with possession in the left circle of the Blues zone as the period began. He and Duncan Keith exchanged passes before Kris Versteeg came open into the attacking zone.
Toews darted the puck to Versteeg in stride, who flicked his 8th of the year past a confused Allen, resurrecting the Chicago audience and breaking the tie in favor of the home side.
Somewhere, Patrick Kane was jealous.
Kane entered the night with a Blackhawks-best 23 points, and his 10 goals shared a team lead with Toews.
But the right-winger left the ice Wednesday two points and two goals richer as he notched two back-to-back scores to seal the deal for Chicago.
He struck first at 2:47, hammering a slap shot past Allen's left side.
Kris Versteeg was credited with the assist, forcing a turnover in the neutral zone and skating along the left boards.
He flung a cross-ice pass over Alexander Steen's stick and into the path of Kane, who fired clean for his 11th goal on the season and 24th point.
Kane could wait only 152 seconds before doing it again, firing his season-13th goal after another pass from Versteeg near their blue line.
Kane skated alone on the attack, freed himself from the clutches of Barret Jackman, and shot clean past Jake Allen's left leg when the goalie came out of his net to face the chance.
"We had some chances, then scored a quick goal right after [a power-play] and got two a couple shifts in a row after that," Kane said.
Jake Allen secured 29 saves on 33 shots for the Blues. He sat in net for Brian Elliott, who was injured last month, though the team signed all-time winningest goalie Martin Brodeur as a backup.
"You can't let a skilled team like that get those chances," Allen said of the sudden scoring bout he faced. "It was only a five-minute span but they took advantage of it. You can't let a team like that, with offensive threats, get their chances. We took our foot off the gas."
Marcus Kruger opened scoring on the night, giving Chicago the early 1-0 lead, taking his 4th goal this year off the assist from Brandon Saad when the Blackhawks enjoyed a sudden 2-on-1 rush.
St. Louis (16-7-2) had six chances on the Hawks with an extra man, but finished a forgetful 0-for-6 against Chicago's 1st-ranked penalty-kill unit.
Ian Cole would light the lamp in the middle frame for the Blues in defeat, darting his 2nd on the season past Antti Raanta's left leg after an exchange of passes between Steve Ott and Patrick Berglund.
Ott flung the puck from behind the Chicago net and it bounced around in front before sliding to Cole alone outside the crease for the 1-1 tie.
Antti Raanta stopped 40-of-41 in net for the Blackhawks in relief of Corey Crawford. Crawford is expected to miss at least two weeks after suffering an injury away from the ice.
It was a pleasant, some would say sleepy, evening as both sides entered the final session in a 1-1 stalemate.
That was, until someone woke up the Blackhawks.
A flurry of scoring in the third period overpowered Chicago to a 4-1 defeat of the St. Louis Blues Wednesday night.
Chicago (16-8-1) needed all of 59 seconds to launch their blitzkrieg and send their stunned rivals back to Missouri.
After mustering a single goal in 41 minutes, they fired 3 past Jake Allen in a span of 4:20.
"It was big to start the third off that way. Just wait for them to press and make mistakes," Patrick Kane said afterwards.
Captain Jonathan Toews found himself with possession in the left circle of the Blues zone as the period began. He and Duncan Keith exchanged passes before Kris Versteeg came open into the attacking zone.
Toews darted the puck to Versteeg in stride, who flicked his 8th of the year past a confused Allen, resurrecting the Chicago audience and breaking the tie in favor of the home side.
Somewhere, Patrick Kane was jealous.
Kane entered the night with a Blackhawks-best 23 points, and his 10 goals shared a team lead with Toews.
But the right-winger left the ice Wednesday two points and two goals richer as he notched two back-to-back scores to seal the deal for Chicago.
He struck first at 2:47, hammering a slap shot past Allen's left side.
Kris Versteeg was credited with the assist, forcing a turnover in the neutral zone and skating along the left boards.
He flung a cross-ice pass over Alexander Steen's stick and into the path of Kane, who fired clean for his 11th goal on the season and 24th point.
Kane could wait only 152 seconds before doing it again, firing his season-13th goal after another pass from Versteeg near their blue line.
Kane skated alone on the attack, freed himself from the clutches of Barret Jackman, and shot clean past Jake Allen's left leg when the goalie came out of his net to face the chance.
"We had some chances, then scored a quick goal right after [a power-play] and got two a couple shifts in a row after that," Kane said.
Jake Allen secured 29 saves on 33 shots for the Blues. He sat in net for Brian Elliott, who was injured last month, though the team signed all-time winningest goalie Martin Brodeur as a backup.
"You can't let a skilled team like that get those chances," Allen said of the sudden scoring bout he faced. "It was only a five-minute span but they took advantage of it. You can't let a team like that, with offensive threats, get their chances. We took our foot off the gas."
Marcus Kruger opened scoring on the night, giving Chicago the early 1-0 lead, taking his 4th goal this year off the assist from Brandon Saad when the Blackhawks enjoyed a sudden 2-on-1 rush.
St. Louis (16-7-2) had six chances on the Hawks with an extra man, but finished a forgetful 0-for-6 against Chicago's 1st-ranked penalty-kill unit.
Ian Cole would light the lamp in the middle frame for the Blues in defeat, darting his 2nd on the season past Antti Raanta's left leg after an exchange of passes between Steve Ott and Patrick Berglund.
Ott flung the puck from behind the Chicago net and it bounced around in front before sliding to Cole alone outside the crease for the 1-1 tie.
Antti Raanta stopped 40-of-41 in net for the Blackhawks in relief of Corey Crawford. Crawford is expected to miss at least two weeks after suffering an injury away from the ice.
Blues and Blackhawks tied 1-1 after two
CHICAGO, Ill. - Ian Cole notched the tying goal as the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks enter the second intermission in a 1-1 stalemate.
Cole struck at 12:38 for his second on the year, taking assists from Steve Ott and Patrick Berglund.
After an exchange of passes with Berglund in and out of the right circle, Ott flung the puck from behind the Chicago net to Raanta's right side.
Cole finished the job as the puck slid left, sneaking free from the scrum and into the crease before flicking it past the goalie's left arm to level the contest.
Though Cole would sit only 1:25 later after interfering with Bryan Bickell.
Jonathan Toews tried Allen from the left side, striking the goalie's stick a minute into the advantage. Brad Richards fired a long range one-timer that caught the side netting to end the 5-on-4 session.
Johnny Oduya ventured two shots within a minute of even hockey, from close range to the goal's right side and again from long range left, both deflected wide by Allen.
Joakim Nordstrom tried a wrap-around chance to Allen's left side that was gloved.
Jake Allen has stopped 25-of-26 shots for the Blues (16-6-2), including all 8 in the middle frame.
Chicago's Jonathan Toews sat two minutes after tripping Paul Stastny at 17:11.
That would send the Blackhawks' 1st-ranked penalty killers on the ice for the fifth time on the night.
With the same results as the previous four as the Blues, owning the 5th-best power-play unit in hockey, went 0-for-5 with the advantage.
Marcus Kruger would also sit two minutes for high-sticking T.J. Oshie in front of the Chicago net after his stick snuck up behind Oshie and struck him in the face.
The two sides exchanged a quick succession of shots-on-goal around the 15-minute mark.
Bryan Bickell's sudden chance from close range was pushed aside by Jake Allen's right pad, and Alex Pietrangelo tried Raanta thirty seconds later on a one-timer that was gloved.
Patrick Kane shot a pass through traffic to Brad Richards from the right circle, but Richards would shoot into Allen's glove.
Richards scored twice in the Blackhawks' 4-1 victory against Los Angeles five days ago.
Marcus Kruger gave Chicago (15-8-1) the goal lead when he fired his 4th this season, assisted by Brandon Saad, who caused a turnover in the neutral zone that gave he and Kruger a 2-on-1 chance on Jake Allen.
Cole struck at 12:38 for his second on the year, taking assists from Steve Ott and Patrick Berglund.
After an exchange of passes with Berglund in and out of the right circle, Ott flung the puck from behind the Chicago net to Raanta's right side.
Cole finished the job as the puck slid left, sneaking free from the scrum and into the crease before flicking it past the goalie's left arm to level the contest.
Though Cole would sit only 1:25 later after interfering with Bryan Bickell.
Jonathan Toews tried Allen from the left side, striking the goalie's stick a minute into the advantage. Brad Richards fired a long range one-timer that caught the side netting to end the 5-on-4 session.
Johnny Oduya ventured two shots within a minute of even hockey, from close range to the goal's right side and again from long range left, both deflected wide by Allen.
Joakim Nordstrom tried a wrap-around chance to Allen's left side that was gloved.
Jake Allen has stopped 25-of-26 shots for the Blues (16-6-2), including all 8 in the middle frame.
Chicago's Jonathan Toews sat two minutes after tripping Paul Stastny at 17:11.
That would send the Blackhawks' 1st-ranked penalty killers on the ice for the fifth time on the night.
With the same results as the previous four as the Blues, owning the 5th-best power-play unit in hockey, went 0-for-5 with the advantage.
Marcus Kruger would also sit two minutes for high-sticking T.J. Oshie in front of the Chicago net after his stick snuck up behind Oshie and struck him in the face.
The two sides exchanged a quick succession of shots-on-goal around the 15-minute mark.
Bryan Bickell's sudden chance from close range was pushed aside by Jake Allen's right pad, and Alex Pietrangelo tried Raanta thirty seconds later on a one-timer that was gloved.
Patrick Kane shot a pass through traffic to Brad Richards from the right circle, but Richards would shoot into Allen's glove.
Richards scored twice in the Blackhawks' 4-1 victory against Los Angeles five days ago.
Marcus Kruger gave Chicago (15-8-1) the goal lead when he fired his 4th this season, assisted by Brandon Saad, who caused a turnover in the neutral zone that gave he and Kruger a 2-on-1 chance on Jake Allen.
Blackhawks lead Blues 1-0 after first period
CHICAGO, Ill. - Marcus Kruger lit the lamp for Chicago at the 15:57 mark to give the Blackhawks the 1-0 lead over their rival St. Louis Blues after the first period Wednesday night.
Brandon Saad, credited with the assist, caused a turnover from the Blues' Ian Cole in the neutral zone and darted a quick pass to Kruger.
They would charge together on a 2-on-1 against Jake Allen before Kruger flung his 4th goal this season to Allen's left for the late lead.
Jake Allen saved 12-of-13 for the Blues, in net for injured Brian Elliott. The team signed all-time winningest goalie Martin Brodeur a few days ago as backup.
He faced a single power-play attack from the Blackhawks (15-8-1), against which he allowed no goal.
The best penalty-kill in hockey resides in Chicago, and it showed in the first period as the Blues 5th-best advantage went 0-for-3 on their power-play opportunities.
Chicago's Niklas Hjalmarsson was booked at 3:03 for high-sticking Vladimir Taransenko after the right-winger took a pass from Lehtra and came open for for a 1-on-1 chance against Antti Raanta.
Though little would come from that advantage as St. Louis shot twice for no goals in two minutes as they were largely kept out of the Blackhawks zone.
Toews came open suddenly and fired for Chicago to Allen's right when the teams drew even, but was pushed wide on the charge.
But the Blues (16-6-2) would have one more chance with an extra man.
Daniel Carcillo sat two minutes at 8:31 for retalitating against Steve Ott after the Blues center leveled Andrew Shaw from behind deep in the Chicago zone away from the puck.
Again, the Blues would do nothing in the 5-on-4 session, though Carcillo would emerge from the penalty box and seconds later fire a back-hander on Allen that went wide.
Antti Raanta stopped all 13 shots he faced for Chicago, as he sits in net tonight for Corey Crawford, who sustained a lower body injury off the ice and will be out for at least two weeks.
Raanta was under fire at the halfway point in the period, deflecting away four shots in succession as the Blues held possession in the Chicago zone.
He nearly allowed a shot from Ian Cole in the first three minutes, but the shot rang against the high post and out of play. The Hawks' right post was rung again with 12 minutes remaining off Alex Pietrangelo's one-timer.
Marion Hossa ventured a shot past Allen's left skate after he snuck around the defense in the right circle, but was pushed aside by the quicker goalie.
St. Louis defeated Chicago 3-2 in their previous meeting Oct. 25th.
Brandon Saad, credited with the assist, caused a turnover from the Blues' Ian Cole in the neutral zone and darted a quick pass to Kruger.
They would charge together on a 2-on-1 against Jake Allen before Kruger flung his 4th goal this season to Allen's left for the late lead.
Jake Allen saved 12-of-13 for the Blues, in net for injured Brian Elliott. The team signed all-time winningest goalie Martin Brodeur a few days ago as backup.
He faced a single power-play attack from the Blackhawks (15-8-1), against which he allowed no goal.
The best penalty-kill in hockey resides in Chicago, and it showed in the first period as the Blues 5th-best advantage went 0-for-3 on their power-play opportunities.
Chicago's Niklas Hjalmarsson was booked at 3:03 for high-sticking Vladimir Taransenko after the right-winger took a pass from Lehtra and came open for for a 1-on-1 chance against Antti Raanta.
Though little would come from that advantage as St. Louis shot twice for no goals in two minutes as they were largely kept out of the Blackhawks zone.
Toews came open suddenly and fired for Chicago to Allen's right when the teams drew even, but was pushed wide on the charge.
But the Blues (16-6-2) would have one more chance with an extra man.
Daniel Carcillo sat two minutes at 8:31 for retalitating against Steve Ott after the Blues center leveled Andrew Shaw from behind deep in the Chicago zone away from the puck.
Again, the Blues would do nothing in the 5-on-4 session, though Carcillo would emerge from the penalty box and seconds later fire a back-hander on Allen that went wide.
Antti Raanta stopped all 13 shots he faced for Chicago, as he sits in net tonight for Corey Crawford, who sustained a lower body injury off the ice and will be out for at least two weeks.
Raanta was under fire at the halfway point in the period, deflecting away four shots in succession as the Blues held possession in the Chicago zone.
He nearly allowed a shot from Ian Cole in the first three minutes, but the shot rang against the high post and out of play. The Hawks' right post was rung again with 12 minutes remaining off Alex Pietrangelo's one-timer.
Marion Hossa ventured a shot past Allen's left skate after he snuck around the defense in the right circle, but was pushed aside by the quicker goalie.
St. Louis defeated Chicago 3-2 in their previous meeting Oct. 25th.
Blues-Blackhawks preview
CHICAGO, Ill. - The last time the St. Louis Blues were in Chicago, their season ended.
They held a 2-0 series lead on the Blackhawks in the opening round of last season's playoff before their hated rivals stacked up four straight victories, including a 5-1 decision in the clinching contest in Chicago.
The 2014 campaign finds both sides contending again, as the Blues hold the second position in the Central Division, directly above the Chicago Blackhawks.
Both come into the night off victories, the Blues a 3-2 shootout decision at Minnesota and Chicago a 4-1 triumph at the Los Angeles Kings.
St. Louis (16-6-2) boasts the 5th-best power-play in hockey, converting 23 percent of their chances with the extra man. Their 19 power-play goals are good for 5th-most in the game.
They will face the best penalty-kill in hockey in the Blackhawks (.931), however, who have allowed only 6 goals a man down this season, also the best in the league, including a five game stretch with eleven straight kills.
The visiting Blues will feature 42-year-old Martin Brodeur in net as the all-time winningest goalie sits in relief of Brian Elliott, sitting out with a lower body injury sustained Nov. 25th against Ottawa. Elliott previously held the league's best goals-against average (1.82).
Brodeur inked a one-year deal with the Blues this week after joining the club for a few days' practice and professional tryout.
He holds all-time NHL records with 688 wins and 124 shutouts in 14 seasons with New Jersey.
"It feels great," Brodeur said to the Blues website after signing. "I really appreciate the opportunity for me to be here the last few days. It definitely worked out real well. I'm excited for this fresh start."
There will also be a fresh start for Chicago in net suddenly.
Corey Crawford was ruled out for the game after head coach Joel Quenneville confirmed his starter sustained a lower body injury while attending a concert. Crawford is 12-5-1 this season with a 1.87 goals-against average, which had been the third-best. He will miss 2-3 weeks with the injury.
"I was at a concert the other day, I was on the way out, missed the step," Crawford said of the injury. "I didn't think it was that bad. I got up the next day and it was worse than I thought. Pretty embarrassed about it."
Antti Raanta (1-2-0) will start in Chicago's net. He lost his last start, the team's first game against the Blues this season.
Chicago (15-8-1) comes home after a six-game road trip, on which they enjoyed a 5-1 record, including a three-goal win over the defending Stanley Cup champions. And they have a three-game winning streak overall.
"We had big tests against good teams and we piled up five out of six, which is huge," Blackhawks center Brad Richards said after the trip.
Richards scored twice in Los Angeles and has three goals in his last two games.
"Halfway through the trip we were kind of on the bubble, right around a playoff spot," Richards added, "and we talked about trying to gain ground and gain momentum going into the second 20 games."
The team has 71 goals on the season, and hold the 8th-best mark in scoring (3.0 gpg).
St. Louis defeated Chicago 3-2 at home Oct. 25th, their fifth victory over the Blackhawks in their last seven regular season meetings. But in Chicago, the Blackhawks have returned the favor, going 10-0-2 against the Blues in the last twelve at United Center.
They held a 2-0 series lead on the Blackhawks in the opening round of last season's playoff before their hated rivals stacked up four straight victories, including a 5-1 decision in the clinching contest in Chicago.
The 2014 campaign finds both sides contending again, as the Blues hold the second position in the Central Division, directly above the Chicago Blackhawks.
Both come into the night off victories, the Blues a 3-2 shootout decision at Minnesota and Chicago a 4-1 triumph at the Los Angeles Kings.
St. Louis (16-6-2) boasts the 5th-best power-play in hockey, converting 23 percent of their chances with the extra man. Their 19 power-play goals are good for 5th-most in the game.
They will face the best penalty-kill in hockey in the Blackhawks (.931), however, who have allowed only 6 goals a man down this season, also the best in the league, including a five game stretch with eleven straight kills.
The visiting Blues will feature 42-year-old Martin Brodeur in net as the all-time winningest goalie sits in relief of Brian Elliott, sitting out with a lower body injury sustained Nov. 25th against Ottawa. Elliott previously held the league's best goals-against average (1.82).
Brodeur inked a one-year deal with the Blues this week after joining the club for a few days' practice and professional tryout.
He holds all-time NHL records with 688 wins and 124 shutouts in 14 seasons with New Jersey.
"It feels great," Brodeur said to the Blues website after signing. "I really appreciate the opportunity for me to be here the last few days. It definitely worked out real well. I'm excited for this fresh start."
There will also be a fresh start for Chicago in net suddenly.
Corey Crawford was ruled out for the game after head coach Joel Quenneville confirmed his starter sustained a lower body injury while attending a concert. Crawford is 12-5-1 this season with a 1.87 goals-against average, which had been the third-best. He will miss 2-3 weeks with the injury.
"I was at a concert the other day, I was on the way out, missed the step," Crawford said of the injury. "I didn't think it was that bad. I got up the next day and it was worse than I thought. Pretty embarrassed about it."
Antti Raanta (1-2-0) will start in Chicago's net. He lost his last start, the team's first game against the Blues this season.
Chicago (15-8-1) comes home after a six-game road trip, on which they enjoyed a 5-1 record, including a three-goal win over the defending Stanley Cup champions. And they have a three-game winning streak overall.
"We had big tests against good teams and we piled up five out of six, which is huge," Blackhawks center Brad Richards said after the trip.
Richards scored twice in Los Angeles and has three goals in his last two games.
"Halfway through the trip we were kind of on the bubble, right around a playoff spot," Richards added, "and we talked about trying to gain ground and gain momentum going into the second 20 games."
The team has 71 goals on the season, and hold the 8th-best mark in scoring (3.0 gpg).
St. Louis defeated Chicago 3-2 at home Oct. 25th, their fifth victory over the Blackhawks in their last seven regular season meetings. But in Chicago, the Blackhawks have returned the favor, going 10-0-2 against the Blues in the last twelve at United Center.
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