The National Hockey League leading Chicago Blackhawks (24-10-4) will take on the young up and coming Edmonton Oilers (15-19-3) for the third time this season on Monday night at United Center. It will be the first tilt of 2012 for both teams. Chicago beat Edmonton 6-3 at home in November before going on the road and getting embarrassed by the Oilers 9-2 in Edmonton 6 days later. The game was a turning point for the Hawks who have responded to go 12-4-1 since. Marian Hossa leads the Hawks in scoring with 41 points and has been on a terror as of late. Jonathan Toews leads the Hawks with 21 goals and had a penalty shot goal Friday night against Detroit. Marcus Kruger is still not skating and will miss Monday’s game. Steve Montador was out of practice Sunday morning and is questionable for Monday. The hot Corey Crawford will don the net for the Blackhawks for the 5th straight game. Crawford has allowed just 6 goals in 4 games since returning from a two week benching after an early season slump. The Hawks are 3-1-0 in those games. Edmonton comes in struggling winners of just 2 of their last 10 games and have lost 3 straight. Jordan Eberle leads the Oilers with 39 points and has a team high 16 goals. Former Hawks net minder Nikolai Khabibulin comes in 11-10-5 with a 2.25 GAA and .924 save percentage. The teams will meet for the fourth and final time February 1st in Edmonton.
No comments:
Post a Comment