The Chicago Blackhawks bring their 5-1-2 record to the RBC Center tonight to do battle against the Carolina Hurricanes, (3-3-3). The 'Hawks lost their first game of the season, but have earned points in their last seven. The Canes are 0-1-2 in their last three.
The Hurricanes should be refreshed and will be sporting new lines tonight as they continue to search for line chemistry. Jiri Tlusty was moved to the first line late on Tuesday night and will start out there again tonight. He'll join Chad LaRose on Eric Staal's line.
Of course, that move helps in the attempt to rekindle the previous success of the "Finns/Skins" line of Jeff Skinner, Tuomo Ruutu, and Jussi Jokinen. Will it work? Stay tuned.
After missing a game due to an undisclosed injury, Anthony Stewart will return to action and is expected to be on the fourth line with Zach Boychuk and Tim Brent. Brett Sutter will sit out with Derek Joslin. Zac Dalpe remains banged up, although he skated in the yellow jersey today.
Look for these lines to start out with, but no guarantees how long they will stay together..
- LaRose, Staal, Tlusty
- Ruutu, Jokinen, Skinner
- Ponikarovsky, Sutter, Dwyer
- Boychuk, Brent, Stewart
- Gleason, Allen
- Pitkanen, McBain
- Harrison, Kaberle
Cam Ward will get the nod in net and should be facing Corey Crawford.
The 'Hawks smoked the Canes 5-2 last year in Chicago, but they have not won in Raleigh since 1998. The Canes are 5-0-0 at home against the Blackhawks since then and have an 8-1-2 record against them in their last 11 overall.
Chicago is led by Patrick Sharp, (8 points), Patrick Kane, (8 points), and Marian Hossa, (7 points). But don't forget about Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith.
For more info about the Blackhawks, check out our SBN partners, Second City Hockey.
Jeff Skinner leads the Canes with 10 points and is also sporting a two game scoring streak. He's joined by Jamie McBain (0-2), and Tuomo Ruutu, (2-0) with two points in the last two games.
The is the first game of a back-to-back scenario for Carolina as they will travel to Philadelphia right after the game to play the Flyers tomorrow night. The Canes are yet to win in a back-to-back situation. There are 0-1-1 in the first half and 0-1-1 in the second, as well.
Fox Carolinas will have the television coverage, starting with the pregame at 6:30. "The Fan" will have the radio broadcast, and we will be chirping in from the press box during the game thread, starting at 7.