The Chicago Blackhawks (21-8-4) will take on the high flying Pittsburgh Penguins (18-11-4) on Tuesday night in the Steel City in a nationally televised game on Versus. It will be the only meeting of the season with the Penguins. The Hawks have won a season high 5 straight games and have not lost in regulation since November 29. Marian Hossa leads the streaking Blackhawks with 36 points and Jonathan Toews has a team high 18 goals. Patrick Sharp who has been on fire of late has 17 goals and 18 assists on the year. Dan Carcillo and Brent Seabrook are questionable with “upper body” injuries. Carcillo was injured in the third period of the Minnesota game last week by a cheap shot and has missed the last two games. Seabrook was injured on a dirty hit from behind against Calgary last night by Rene Bourque. Bourque has a disciplinary hearing set with the league for Monday afternoon. The Hawks will likely be cautious with Seabrook who has a history of concussions. Chicago won the only meeting with Pittsburgh last season in a 3-2 shootout victory at United Center. Patrick Sharp and Bryan Bickell tallied for the Hawks and Patrick Kane added the shootout winner.
Update: Brent Seabrook flew to Pittsburgh with the Hawks on Monday afternoon but Dan Carcillo did not make the trip.
Update 2: Calgary Flames forward Rene Borque was given a two game supsension for Sunday night's illegal hit on Brent Seabrook. See the link below for NHL Director of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan's explanation:
Update 3: According to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, Brent Seabrook was on the ice for the morning skate at Consol Energy Center Tuesday morning.
Update 4: Tracey Myers of Comcast Sports Network is reporting on Twitter that Brent Seabrook will be in the lineup Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
Update 4: Tracey Myers of Comcast Sports Network is reporting on Twitter that Brent Seabrook will be in the lineup Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh comes in battling concussion issues of their own. Face of the league Sidney Crosby is out indefinitely with concussion like symptoms following a short comeback from missing an entire year with post-concussion syndrome. Star defenseman Kris Letang has been sidelined since late November with a concussion of his own. Evgeni Malkin leads the Penguins with 36 points, and James Neal has a team high 18 goals. Pittsburgh is 5-5-0 in their last ten games. The Penguins won their last game 8-3 after getting beat down 6-4 and 4-1 in their previous two contests.
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