The Chicago Blackhawks (25-13-5) will host the Minnesota Wild (22-15-6) in the second meeting of the year between the Western Conference opponents. Chicago won the first meeting 4-3 in a shootout up in St. Paul. The Minnesota Wild, once the league’s best team back in December, have struggled recently going just 2-7-1 in their last ten games. Chicago has not been much better winning just 4 of 10. Chicago comes in 15-5-4 on United Center ice and the Wild are 10-9-3 on the road. The teams split a pair of games last season in Chicago. In the first meeting Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Michael Frolik scored for the Hawks in regulation, and Kyle Brodziak, Matt Cullen, and Mikko Koivu tallied for the Wild. In the shootout Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane scored for the Hawks, and Ray Emery stopped Matt Cullen and Danny Heatley to preserve the win. For the Hawks it will be Ray Emery in goal again against the Wild. Marian Hossa has a team high 45 points and Jonathan Toews continues to lead the way with 22 goals. No Marcus Kruger again who is skating but not ready to return to the lineup. Ben Smith who scored against Columbus on Tuesday night will be in the lineup. For Minnesota, Mikko Koivu leads the way with 33 points and Danny Heatley has a team high 13 goals. Tonight’s game begins a stretch of three games in four nights against Minnesota, Detroit, and San Jose. Three tough games with the Hawks in need of every point they can get after a tough stretch.
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