Blackhawks-Coyotes Preview: Blackhawks Still Looking for Elusive First Win

The Chicago Blackhawks find themselves still searching for their first win of the 2008-2009 campaign and will line up against the Phoenix Coyotes tonight.

The 'Hawks could not pull it out versus the Nashville Predators on Monday night as they fell in the shootout, 2-0. 

Cristobal Huet had a better performance against Nashville than he had versus the New York Rangers, but could not make a stop in the shootout. Huet would say after the game he didn't anticipate both shooters going five-hole against him. 

The 'Hawks are trying to stay positive after the slow start and look to turn things around at home versus Phoenix. The 'Hawks were able to take three of four from the Coyotes last season, but in two of those wins Patrick Lalime was in net and he is not longer with the organization.

The Coyotes are 2-0 heading into tonight's games with wins against the Columbus Blue Jackets at home and at the Anaheim Ducks. 

The Coyotes have been energized by their big offseason acquisition, Olli Jokinen, and their standout rookie Kyle Turris, who was taken with the second pick after the Blackhawks picked Patrick Kane in the 2007 NHL draft. 

For the Blackhawks, Martin Havlat and Patrick Sharp have been their leading scorers so far this season after both had two-point games versus the Nashville Predators. Jack Skille and Kris Versteeg have also been pleasant surprises in the first three games, with them both scoring goals against the Washington Capitals.

With both teams very young and exciting for the future, it should be quite an interesting night for the future of the NHL.

Chicago Blackhawks Starting Lineup

Forwards

Versteeg-Toews-Kane

Havlat-Sharp-Byfuglien

Ladd-Bolland-Skille

Eager-Burish-Fraser

Defensemen

Keith-Seabrook

Sopel-Campbell

Hendry-Johnson

In Net

Nikolai Khabibulin

Chicago Blackhawks News and Notes

Ben Eager will be rejoining the lineup tonight after serving his three-game suspension for swinging his stick at the Dallas Stars' Sean Avery.