PREVIEW: Blackhawks at Bruins 2/12
The Blackhawks are searching for their eighth win in a row when they take on the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night
by Chris Wescott / blackhawks.com
TIME: 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH RADIO: WGN 720 ONLINE: NHL.TV & via MyTeamsApp
The Blackhawks (23-24-9) are riding the highs of a seven-game win streak. But in a tight race for the Wild Card, every point matters and Chicago will look to add two more to their total when they face the Bruins in Boston on Tuesday night.
Video: Jeremy Colliton on Dominik Kahun
Chicago has not lost a game since Jan. 17. Since then, they've beaten the Capitals, Islanders, Sabres, Wild, Oilers, Canucks and Red Wings.
This is the one and only game of this road trip for the Blackhawks, who will return home for three-straight games at the United Center on Thursday, Saturday and Monday against the Devils, Blue Jackets and Senators.
In their last game out, the Blackhawks clipped the Red Wings 5-2. Chicago's second line of Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kahun contributed three goals in the victory.
Patrick Kane kept his point streak going, extending it to 14 games with a goal and an assist versus Detroit. Kane leads the Blackhawks in scoring with 81 points (33G, 48A) in 55 games. Toews is second on the team with 56 points (25G, 31A) in 56 outings. DeBrincat is second on the team with 28 goals and third in points with 53.
Collin Delia, who agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension on Monday, leads the team between the pipes with a 2.98 GAA and .923 save percentage in 10 starts. Cam Ward has a .895 SV% and 3.67 GAA in his 22 starts.
As for the Bruins, they're winners of four of their last five games and are coming off a 2-1 overtime win over Colorado on Sunday. Boston is led in scoring by David Pastrnak who has 31 goals and 66 total points in 56 games. Brad Marchand is second on the team with 21 goals and 65 total points.
In net, Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak have similar numbers with a .922 and .921 save percentage respectively.
SEASON SERIES:
The Blackhawks and Bruins have faced off once already this season at the 2019 Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on New Year's Day. The Blackhawks lost that game 4-2.
LINEUP NOTES:
The Blackhawks recalled Dylan Sikura from the Rockford IceHogs and Head Coach Jeremy Colliton confirmed he will enter the lineup. Chris Kunitz will come out as the organization wants him to play his 1,000th game at home on Thursday night.
Collin Delia gets the start between the pipes. Gustav Forsling is back in the lineup on defense and Slater Koekkoek will come out.
OPPONENT TO WATCH:
Pastrnak has a knack for scoring and is among the league leaders in goals this season with 31, just two shy of Chicago's Kane.
Pastrnak scored against the Blackhawks in their previous meeting this season. The 22-year-old forward has eight goals and 10 assists in 17 games dating back to Jan. 1.