San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks preview
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight the San Jose Sharks will take on the Chicago Blackhawks in what could be a Western Conference Final preview. Of course, the Sharks need to start hanging onto leads, winning in the shootout and giving the full 60-minute effort before that chatter is reasonable. After facing off against the lowly Edmonton Oilers on Friday, San Jose will have to show up in a big way against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
The Sharks have won their last three contests after hitting a five-game winless streak to open the month of November. Chicago just had a four-game winning streak snapped by the Nashville Predators, who scored seven goals on the ‘Hawks.
The defending champs probably aren’t too happy about getting rofl-stomped by the Preds, and will come out swinging on home ice against a tough Sharks squad. Here’s everything you need to know heading into tonight’s contest.
Chicago By the Numbers: Hot or Not
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Opponent: Chicago Blackhawks
Opponent Game Number: 21
Opponent Record (Last 10): 7-2-1
Offense: Red-Hot (17 goals in last four games)
Defense: Cold (Given up 17 goals in last four games)
Power Play: Hot (21.4% conversion rate—8th in the NHL)
Penalty Kill: Cold (72.9%—29th in the NHL)
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Just like San Jose, Chicago’s roster reads like a who’s who of Olympic hopefuls, individual award winners and All-Star Game participants. All of the usual suspects are in play tonight. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are still among the most electric and outstanding offensive forces in the NHL. Marian Hossa is good. Patrick Sharp is good. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are outstanding.
And so on.
The thing that’s been the most impressive this season about the ‘Hawks, however, has been their incredible scoring depth. Chicago’s attack has been so balanced that they don’t have a single player in the top-30 scorers in the league, yet their offense is tied with that of San Jose as the most proficient in the NHL.
That’s remarkable.
Chicago has nine players with double-digit point totals and two more guys sitting at nine. This is a team that can beat you with any one line, and it’ll be a true test of San Jose’s depth.
Goaltending Matchup
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight the Sharks will roll with Antti Niemi.
Across the way, things are a bit more interesting for Chicago. Corey Crawford was supposed to get the night off against the Predators last night, but was forced into the game when backup Nikolai Khabibulin injured himself in the first period. He managed to make a pretty remarkable save in the process, mind you.
The ‘Hawks have recalled Antti Raanta in light of Khabibulin’s injury, but they’ve given no indication that he’d get the start despite Crawford playing a little more than two periods against Nashville not even 24 hours ago.