Blackhawks-Ducks: Chicago Looks for Turnaround on Steve Larmer Heritage Night

Game Preview

The final two games of the Chicago Blackhawks' circus road trip were not what they had hoped for, with a 1-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks and a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

But tonight the 'Hawks will look for redemption versus the Ducks.

Tonight we will be a special night for us 'Hawks fans in our twenties—because it is Steve Larmer Heritage Night.  The legendary 'Hawks winger will drop the first puck tonight.

Larmer played 11 full seasons with the 'Hawks and racked up 923 points and a +182 rating in the Blackhawks sweater.

Another big surprise that we will see tonight is Martin Havlat being dropped from the second line to the third line because of his recent lack of production.  This means that Dustin Byfuglien will likely be bumped up to the first line with Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg.

I believe that the major reason for Byfuglien's promotion is because in the last game versus the Ducks, the 'Hawks first line was found matched up against Anaheim's checking/grinding line.

Byfuglien gives the first line more toughness and someone to protect Toews and Versteeg in the offensive zone.

Chicago's Keys to the Game

1. Goaltending

The 'Hawks are hoping that they can get another good performance out of Cristobal Huet against the Ducks. Huet only let one past him in their previous game versus the Ducks. If the 'Hawks want to win, they are going to need a repeat performance from Huet.

2. Be Physical

The Ducks are a rough-and-tumble team, and the 'Hawks are going to need to answer the bell. The movement of Byfuglien to the first line will help bring toughness to every line, including Brouwer on the second and Ladd on the third. Each of these players play with grit and toughness and should help Chicago versus the Ducks. 

Player(s) to Watch

Jonathan Toews

Toews seemed to disappear in the final few games of the 'Hawks last road trip, but that might be attributed to the line shifting that was occurring during the trip. Toews has been able to practice with Byfuglien and Vertseeg and should now have better chemistry with the both of them.

Look for Toews to net himself a goal tonight in the Blackhawks' first game back at home.

Cristobal Huet

Since Nikolai Khabibulin went down with a lower body injury in the game versus the San Jose Sharks, all eyes have been on Huet. Huet did look very solid versus the Ducks but was not so lucky against the Kings.

If he can duplicate the performance that he had against the Ducks, then he will have a shot at his first win since Nov. 9, when he beat the Calgary Flames.

Projected Line-Ups:

Forwards

Byfuglien-Toews-Versteeg

Brouwer-Sharp-Kane

Ladd-Bolland-Havlat

Eager-Fraser-Adams

Defense

Keith-Seabrook

Campbell-Barker

Walker-Sopel

Goal

Huet

Chicago Blackhawks News and Notes

Even with it being Steve Larmer Heritage Night, look for the Blackhawks to have a ceremony honoring Pit Martin, who recently passed away. Martin is one of the 'Hawks all-time leading scorers and a great person. Hopefully they will be able to have some type of ceremony for Pit Martin.