Chicago Blackhawks: Stomp the Canucks on the Scoreboard

The Vancouver Canucks come to the United Center Friday night for the third meeting of the season with a bit of a chip on their shoulder.

The Hawks are 2-0 against Vancouver this season, and though it's been pretty one-sided, there is a level of dislike shared by both teams.

Alain Vigneault, Vancouver's coach, is still smarting from Chicago's 7-1 rout of the Canucks at GM Place last month. He implied after that game that Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville ran up the score on his club.

Coupled with Chicago winning the first meeting this year in a shootout, there could be some strong feelings on both benches tonight when the two teams square off.

Vigneault should be hoping that his ten-million-dollar goalie doesn't kick in any more shootout attempts.

He should be concerned that the Hawks are playing more physical and have been quicker to drop the gloves lately.

He should be concerned that John Scott is going to get his four minutes of ice time, and he doesn't pull hair or punches. Plus, he's already said that he doesn't like your team.

The last thing Vigneault should be worried about is whether a group of professional hockey players ran up the score on another group of professional hockey players.

Quenneville rolled four lines and gave some fresh faces ice time during several third period power plays. It's not his job to make the Canucks feel good about themselves. 

Besides, hasn't Vancouver come off a 6-1 win over San Jose and a 7-2 drubbing of Calgary? Did the Canucks hand out chocolates after pounding the snot out of those two teams?

The Hawks have to be careful not to get drawn into a 60-minute brawl Friday night. The Canucks tried to take some shots early in Vancouver, but the Hawks were more concerned with winning the game on the scoreboard.

That said, expect a more physical contest tonight. Expect some hard, and hopefully clean, hits. Vancouver is searching for an angle to get them up for any contest with the Blackhawks. They have to have seen how the strategy got St. Louis back into Tuesday's game. Expect Vancouver to pick a few fights if things don't go their way early.

The Hawks shouldn't be afraid to mix it up and be physical tonight. They just have to pick their spots and go when it works for them. Don't let the Canucks drag us into a slugfest.

Keep an eye on the scoreboard tonight. Get the two points.