Game Preview: Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
Buckle up everyone, because rivalry night is finally here as the Blackhawks take on the Blues at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. It’s a crucial game for the Blues as they continue to push for the playoffs, while the Hawks want to do everything to stop the Blues from making the playoffs as they are one point behind the Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division.
As game day approaches, the lines stay about the same with the Hawks as Brandon Saad, Nick Schmaltz, and Patrick Kane are on the top line, while Alex DeBrincat is on the left wing, with Victor Ejdsell centering, and Dylan Sikura being the right wing on the 2nd line. The 3rd and 4th lines have been flipped flopped as Tomas Jurco, Artem Anisimov, and Andreas Martinsen are on the 3rd line. And, Patrick Sharp, David Kampf, and Vinnie Hinostroza has been bumped down to the 4th line.
Jonathan Toews traveled with the team, and practiced today, but still won’t play tonight due to him suffering an upper body injury against the Colorado Avalanche a couple weeks ago. John Hayden is also still out, due to his upper body injury he suffered a couple weeks ago as well.
With the defensemen, according to Mark Lazerus, it looks like Blake Hillman, and Jan Rutta are playing tonight, and Jordan Oesterle is healthy scratched for tonight’s matchup against the Blues.
Over to the Blues, Nick Schmaltz’s brother Jordan Schmaltz is not playing tonight due to suffering a upper body injury, also Nikita Soshnikov won’t play tonight due to an upper body injury. With the Blues lineup, no expected changes, as Jaden Schwartz takes the left wing, with Brayden Schenn centering, and Vladimir Tarasenko taking the right wing as the top line.
What to look for is Alex DeBrincat as he scored his 3rd career hat-trick against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center a couple weeks ago, and Blake Hillman as he made his NHL debut against the Avalanche last Friday. With the Blues, what to look for is Vladmir Tarasenko, Brayden Schenn, and Alex Pietrangelo.
It is expected that Jake Allen from the Blues gets the start in net, and J-F Berube is the starting goaltender for the Blackhawks.
Puck drop is 7 PM at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. The game will be broadcasted on NBC Sports Network for Rivalry Night.
