Blackhawks-Avalanche: Patrick Kane Returns to Lineup in Colorado

Game Preview:

Since the Winter Classic, the Chicago Blackhawks offense has been unstoppable recording at least five goals in both games. Tonight the 'Hawks look to keep the ball rolling as they visit the Colorado Avalanche, whom they have not lost to this season.

Chicago will also welcome Patrick Kane back to the line up tonight, who has been out of the Chicago line up since the Winter Classic with a leg injury (I believe). Kane has been the 'Hawks leading scorer all season, but their offense has not missed a beat in his absence, scoring 11 goals in the games that he missed.

The line that has really stepped up in Kane's absence is the fourth line of Burish, Fraser, and Eager. All three players scored goals in the 6-0 win over the Coyotes, and Adam Burish even tallied three points in that game.

As for the Avalanche, they find themselves 10th in the Western Conference, just two points out of the playoff race. The Avs are also without their leading scorer Paul Stasny and their captain Joe Sakic. Without these two players the Avalanche have struggled, but they can still score so the Blachkhawks will need to still be aware of the other offensive talent on the Avs.

Chicago's Keys to the Game:

1. Attack Budaj: Goaltending has been a big weakness for the Avalanche this season with the tandem of Peter Budaj and Andrew Raycroft. Budaj has been the starter for the entire season and has a record of 13-18-1 but has been great at times for the Avalanche. Budaj's weakness has been early in games so if the 'Hawks want to be successful then they need to get after him early and often.

2. Be Physical: The 'Hawks have been dominate against most teams because they are able to take the body early and they must doing it tonight versus the Avalanche to take them out of the play early.

3. Contain Milan Hejduk: Without Sakic or Stasny the Avalanche's offense has centered around the Hejduk. Hejduk has 29 points on the season, second on the team and first among active players. He is a major part of the Colorado powerplay so the 'Hawks defense will need to be physical with Hejduk and take him out of the play early.

Players to Watch:

Patrick Sharp

Here is a guy that has not gotten his due in the NHL. He has already reached the 20 goal mark just 36 games into the season. Sharp also seemed to be a likely addition to the Western All Star team, but with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Brain Campbell already being elected to the team, it seems as though there was not enough room for him or Duncan Keith for that matter. Make sure to look out for this sharply dressed man.

Patrick Kane

Kane makes his return to the line up tonight so expect for him to get a lot of looks early to see if he has fully recovered from his injury. Kane has two assists in his two games against the Avalanche this season and if he is fully recovered, look for him to factor in the 'Hawks scoring

Projected Lineup

Forwards

Brouwer-Sharp-Kane

Versteeg-Toews-Byfuglien

Ladd-Bolland-Havlat

Burish-Fraser-Eager

Defense

Keith-Seabrook

Barker-Campbell

Johnson-Wisniewski

Goalie

Khabibulin