PREVIEW: Blackhawks vs Blue Jackets 2/16

TIME:7:30 p.m. CT
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The Blackhawks improved to 24-25-9 with a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night and they now set their sights on another big two points when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Chicago has won eight of their last nine games, while Columbus has earned victories in four of their last five.

Collin Delia leads the team between the pipes with a 3.22 GAA and .916 save percentage in 12 starts. Cam Ward has a .898 SV% and 3.60 GAA in his 23 starts.
As for the Blue Jackets, former Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin leads them in scoring with 22 goals and 42 assists for 64 points in 54 games. Cam Atkinson is second on the team with 54 points but has an impressive 31 goals. Pierre-Luc Dubois has 21 goals and a total of 49 points.
Between the pipes, Sergei Bobrovsky has started a workhorse 40 games for Columbus, posting a 2.90 GAA and .903 save percentage. Joonas Korpisalo has a 2.96 GAA and .901 SV% in 16 starts.
SEASON SERIES:
In the first of what will be two meetings of this season, the Blackhawks downed the Blue Jackets 4-1 in Columbus on Oct. 20. Kane scored twice, including the empty-netter, while DeBrincat and Marcus Kruger also lit the lamp. Corey Crawford made 37 saves on 38 shots for the W.

LINEUP NOTES:
Brendan Perlini returns to the lineup, replacing John Hayden. Cam Ward will start in net for Chicago.

OPPONENT TO WATCH:
Panarin enters his return to the United Center with four points in his last three games. Columbus' leading scorer has helped his team to a 32-21-3 record thus far this season.