PANIK BUTTON
The Blackhawks pulled out a 2-1 shootout win over Florida on Tuesday, thanks to a superb performance in net by Corey Crawford and a strong outing by Richard Panik, who scored the Blackhawks' lone regulation goal and added a shootout goal. Panik's tally broke a goal drought that dated back to Oct. 22, after he surged out of the gates with six in six, and his five shots on goal in 14:14 of ice time were his best output and highest ice time since the Nov. 15 loss in Winnipeg to begin the Circus Trip. Panik has played up and down the lineup since starting the season on the top trio, but with Toews unlikely to play Thursday and Anisimov questionable after leaving Tuesday's game with an apparent foot injury, Chicago will need names like Panik to keep contributing across the scoresheet.
COMMON COR
Cory Schneider has flown under the radar to become one of the most dependable goaltenders in the NHL. After being traded to New Jersey in 2013, the 30-year-old started 43, 68 and 58 games for the Devils in the three full seasons since, compiling a .924 save percentage and 2.14 goals-against average despite a middling 72-73-28 record. According to
Rob Vollman's quality starts statistic
, which measures a goalie's ability to give his team a chance to win each game, Schneider had a .661 QS% entering the 2016-17 campaign, the highest among starting netminders (min. 50 starts) since 2007-08.
For the Blackhawks, Crawford ranks eighth over that span with a .626 QS%, and the two tied for the league lead with .690 QS% last season, meaning they gave above-average performances in net night after night. This season, Schneider's numbers are slightly down, with 11 quality starts in 18 games, a .914 SV% and 2.56 goals-against average. Crawford, after making 38 saves on 39 shots on Tuesday, ranks ninth among NHL starters with a .928 SV% and shares 12th with a 2.23 GAA.
ZAJAC OF ALL TRADES
With Hall out due to injury, the Devils have relied on longtime mainstay Travis Zajac to lead a lineup that lacks true offensive depth. The 31-year-old, who has spent his entire 11-year career in New Jersey, leads the team with 15 points (5G, 10A) in 22 games this season, and has only been held without a shot on goal three times thus far. Zajac doesn't have a point in his last two games, but before that he put up a goal and four assists in two games. His versatility means the Blackhawks will see him in all situations; he averages 2:37 while shorthanded and 2:58 on the power play, and his 20:18 of overall ice time shares 13th among league forwards, around the likes of John Tavares, Jamie Benn and Ryan Getzlaf.
INJURY REPORT
CHI:Jonathan Toews (upper body), Trevor van Riemsdyk (upper body)
NJD: Beau Bennett (leg)
LINES
Panarin -- Anisimov -- Kane
Hartman -- Hinostroza -- Hossa
Rasmussen -- Kruger -- Panik
Desjardins -- Schmaltz -- Motte
Keith -- Hjalmarsson
Campbell -- Seabrook
Kempny -- Rozsival
Crawford
Darling
