The Chicago Blackhawks dropped a Four-Three shootout Sunday night to the Arizona Coyotes, marking their third-straight recreation ending tied in regulation. They did handle to return away with the second level in opposition to the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins of their prior two video games, however nonetheless stay on the backside of the Central Division with simply 30 factors.
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Blackhawks netminder Robin Lehner, whereas failing to cease a shot within the shootout (a self-admitted wrestle) was stellar in web, making stops on 44 of 47 pictures, together with a highlight-reel, third-period save on a shot from Clayton Keller to maintain the sport tied that will simply go down because the save of the yr.
“You’re simply attempting to avoid wasting the puck,” Lehner mentioned. “I simply keep in mind I used to be a bit bit behind the play and I knew (Keller) was again door and I simply tried to get one thing there. It’s instincts and a bit little bit of luck. Truthfully, I simply needed to win (Sunday night time).”
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With the switch of ahead Andrew Shaw from injured reserve to long-term injured reserve, the Hawks introduced at present that they’ve recalled ahead Matthew Highmore and defenseman Adam Boqvist from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.
The Blackhawks begin the week opening a three-game street journey tonight in Las Vegas in opposition to the Vegas Golden Knights. After a fast dip south to Phoenix and a rematch with the Arizona Coyotes, they’ll head again towards dwelling, stopping in St. Louis for a Saturday-night recreation with the St. Louis Blues. The week closes on dwelling ice internet hosting the Minnesota Wild on the United Heart, Sunday night time.
Tuesday, Dec. 10 @ Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are coming off a 5-Zero thrashing by the hands of the New York Rangers on dwelling ice Sunday night time. With 26 factors, Max Pacioretty leads the Golden Knights in scoring, tallying 10 targets and 16 assists. Main the Vegas goal-scoring effort is Reilly Smith with 12 targets, whereas including 11 assists to complete 23 factors on the season.
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty skates in opposition to Arizona Coyotes heart Nick Schmaltz (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports activities)
The Blackhawks offense might want to discover a solution to netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, who not too long ago returned to the Golden Knights web after being out for private causes. Fleury has 11 wins with a save share of .919, permitting 2.54 targets per recreation.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks Four, Golden Knights 2
Thursday, Dec. 12 @ Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes enter the week having a 5-Three-2 file over their final 10 video games and with an 18-10-Four total file are tied with the Edmonton Oilers for first place within the Pacific Division.
With the 22nd-ranked offense within the league, the Coyotes have been leaning on their protection to guide the cost. The Yotes are the second-best group within the league in targets in opposition to with 73, with each goalies Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta boasting save percentages above .925.
Phoenix Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta (Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Search for the Blackhawks to return out sturdy to avenge their shootout loss from Sunday.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 2, Coyotes 1
Saturday, Dec. 14 @ Blues
Solidly perched atop the Central Division with an 18-7-6 file, the St. Louis Blues enter the week with 42 factors on the season. The mark is tops within the Western Convention they usually simply dealt with the Blackhawks final week throughout a Four-Zero rout on the United Heart.
Attributable to a latest rash of accidents the Blues have discovered a spark in Ivan Barbashev. Whereas his 14 factors total solely ranks sixth on the Blues stat-sheet, he has three targets, 4 factors and a plus-three score within the final 5 video games and his 18:28 minutes of ice time on Sunday was a season-high.
PREDICTION: Blues Four, Blackhawks 2
Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Wild
The Minnesota Wild fell to the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday night time, 6-2, snapping an 11-game level streak. After the loss to the ‘Canes, the Wild are actually 14-12-Four on the season and in fifth place within the Central Division. The Wild offense is led by Jason Zucker with 21 factors. Zach Parise leads the Wild in targets this season with 12, together with 5 on the ability play, whereas Ryan Suter leads in assists with 14, seven on the ability play.
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The Blackhawks’ offense might want to step it up on the streaking Wild, with beginning goalie Alex Stalock at present Eight-Four-2 on the yr, a 2.91 targets in opposition to common and a shutout on his file. Rookie backup netminder Kaapo Kahkonen has two wins in as many begins and a targets in opposition to common of two.00.
Minnesota Wild goalie Alex Stalock (AP Picture/Nam Y. Huh, File)
The Wild are banged up a bit, with Devin Dubnyk, Mikko Koivu and Greg Pateryn all on injured reserve.
SATURDAY PREDICTION: Wild Three, Blackhawks 1
