Panthers @ Blackhawks 01/20/12 Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks (28-13-6) will take on the Florida Panthers (21-14-10) at United Center on Friday night.  The Hawks will be looking to move back into first place in the Central after Detroit won on Thursday to move 1 point ahead in the dog fight that is the Central and Western Conference.  Chicago comes in winners of two straight and are 4-0-2 in their last six games.  The Hawks are 18-5-4 on home ice and will be looking to take another 2 points against a struggling Panther’s team that is just 3-4-3 in their last ten contests. 

The Hawks won the only United Center meeting with Florida last year 4-0.  This will be the second and final meeting between the teams who met in November in Miami.  The Hawks won that meeting 3-2 in the shoot out.  Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa scored for the Hawks in regulation, and Patrick Kane scored the lone goal in the shoot out for the win.  Florida had goals from Stephen Weiss and Ed Jovanovski in the loss.  Ray Emery will get the start in goal for the Hawks. 

Marian Hossa continues to lead the Hawks with 49 points and Jonathan Toews, fresh off his 2 goal night on Wednesday, leads Chicago with 26 goals.  Former 2010 Stanley Cup Winner Kris Versteeg will be making his first trip back to United Center since Game 5 of the Finals.  Versteeg leads the Panthers with 17 goals and 39 points.  Versteeg was traded to Toronto that summer in a deal that brought Viktor Stalberg to Chicago.  Florida has been decimated by injuries with five players on injured reserve and will likely add Jovanovski after he broke his hand in Colorado Wednesday night.