Blackhawks-Blue Jackets: Chicago Looks To Extend Winning Streak to Four

The Game Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to the United Center tonight at 6:00 PM CT. The 'Hawks have been on fire since their overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings and Friday's game might have been the most impressive of the last three.

The 'Hawks were able to overcome two one-goal deficits in Colorado to claim a victory for Coach Quenneville in his return to the Pepsi Center. The star of the game was Dustin Byfuglien, who netted two goals including the game winner on a deflection of a Martin Havlat shot. The 'Hawks also welcomed Nikolai Khabibulin to the lineup after he was injured in the San Jose Sharks game.

But the more importantly the 'Hawks will look to continue their three game winning streak against divisional rival Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets find themselves 13th in the Western Conference and currently are on a winning streak of their own (two games).

The 'Hawks took the first game against he Blue Jackets 4-3 in the shootout, however the 'Hawks let a lead slip away in the third period with a goal. Tonight, however, the 'Hawks will look for history not to repeat itself and next you will read what I believe the 'Hawks keys to the game are.

Chicago's Keys to the Game

1. Shut Down Rick Nash: Nash is what I like to refer to as a 'Hawk killer, and they will need to cut off his offense to stay with the Blue Jackets.

2. Continue to involve the third and fourth line: Craig Adams scored his first goal of the season and Andrew Ladd added a game tying goal, his sixth, in the 'Hawks last game against the Colorado Avalanche. These two lines have figured greatly into the 'Hawks offense as of late and if they can continue that trend then the 'Hawks will continue their success.

3. Goal-tending: Hopefully, if Khabibulin is in net versus the Blue Jackets he can continue to improve since coming back from his lower body injury and if Cristobal Huet is in net he can continue his magic in goal.
Player(s) to Watch

Andrew Ladd

If I were to ask you who the hottest player on the 'Hawks is, many would say Kris Versteeg or Patrick Kane but in actuality the hottest 'Hawk would have to be Andrew Ladd. Ladd has had eight points in his last five games including a four point game against the Phoenix Coyotes.

Since Havlat has been dropped to his line he has flourished and look for that production to continue.

Matt Walker

Walker easily had his best game as a Blackhawk on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche as he racked up 22:26 minutes of ice time. Coach Quenneville will have a difficult time deciding who to knock out of the line-up when James Wisneiwski returns on Wednesday. Look for Walker to campaign to keep his spot in the line-up against Columbus.

Projected Lineup

Forwards

Versteeg-Toews-Byfuglien

Brouwer-Sharp-Kane

Ladd-Bolland-Havlat

Eager-Fraser-Adams

Defense

Keith-Seabrook

Campbell-Barker

Walker-Sopel

Goal-Tender

TBA

Chicago Blackhawks Notes

James Wisneiwski will make his return to the Blackhawks lineup on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers, originally he was expected to return on Sunday but scheduling conflicts prevented that.

Cristobal Huet's record versus Columbus: 2-1-0 (including the 'Hawks win versus Columbus this season)

Nikolai Khabibulin's record versus Columbus: 6-8-2 with a 3.39 GAA