Blackhawks-Devils: Chicago Looks for Payback Against New Jersey

The Chicago Blackhawks are back! Since the return of Patrick Sharp to the Chicago lineup, the 'Hawks have been on fire, winning two straight games against the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks.

In those two games, the 'Hawks have found their scoring touch back, as they have recorded a total of nine goals in those two contests against two very good goaltenders.

But tonight they will be tested once again, as Martin Brouder and the New Jersey Devils roll into Chicago. The last time that these two met, Brouder was looking to break Patrick Roy's record, so the Blackhawks will have revenge on their mind.

The Devils are one of the best teams in the league, and if the Blackhawks plan on making noise in the playoffs they will need to prove they can compete and beat teams like this.

Keys to the Game

1. Get Traffic in Front of Martin Brouder: Brouder is a great goaltender, but like any goaltender, if you get traffic in front of the net you make their job infinitely more difficult. The 'Hawks will need to have plenty of net presence if they want any chance at beating the Devils.

2. Get Solid Goaltending from Nikolai Khabibulin: Let's face it, Khabibulin hasn't had a "great" game since his return to the lineup, but I, like others, believe that with him getting consistent starts it will come. Tonight, if he is able to keep the Devils' scorers at bay, then Khabibulin will give the rest of the team a chance.

3. Find Chemistry on the Second Line: The Blackhawks' new second line is an interesting one that features two playmakers in Versteeg and Kane, while it also houses a veteran grinder in Pahlsson. This line was constructed with the return of Sharp and was done to spread out the scoring. It has not become a very productive line yet, but if Versteeg can get his production going then the line should find its groove.

Players To Watch

Niklas Hjalmarsson

Here is a kid who has come in since James Wisniewski was traded and has flourished in the Blackhawks' lineup. Hjalmarsson has not been a point producer from the blue line, but has had some really solid play in the defensive end, which had been the achilles heel of this team lately. Make sure to watch this kid, because he has some great game and will be able to play with the Devils top lines.

Kris Versteeg

The rookie scoring leader has been struggling since the beginning of the season. Versteeg has been shuffled around the line and has not been able to develop chemistry with a single group of players. But now he seems to have found a group of players that he could be with for the rest of the season. It has been a few games, so it is possible that some chemistry has begun to develop. Tonight, this line will need to provide some offense and Versteeg will need to find his scoring touch quick.

Chicago Blackhawks Lineup

Forwards

Sharp-Toews-Brouwer

Versteeg-Pahlsson-Kane

Ladd-Bolland-Havlat

Byfuglien-Fraser-Burish

Defense

Keith-Seabrook

Campbell-Hjalmarsson

Barker-Johnson

Goaltender

Khabibulin