Chicago Blackhawks Winter Classic 2009 Preview: Expect Something Special

Game Preview

Tomorrow will mark the one-year anniversery of the first annual Winter Classic and this year's game looks to have the makings of a far better game.

Gary Bettman has stressed, since he joined the NHL, that scoring will draw more attention and fans to the game and it is likely that he will get his wish when the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings take the ice at historic Wrigley Field.

Not to take anything away from the first Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium but this year we are presented with quite a historic game from a stadium standpoint and a rivalry standpoint.

As for the historic stadium, Wrigley Field, has been the sight for many sporting events such as Chicago Bears Games, the Harlem Globetrotters, Ski Jumping and even a Jimmy Buffett concert, this, however, will be the first-ever hockey game at the friendly confines.

If you are fortunate enough to be going to the Winter Classic you are in store for quite an experience as it will be much more intimate than the previous Winter Classic.

You will be close to the action no matter where you sit, unless you are on the rooftops across the street.

This Winter Classic will also provide us with a great Original 6 matchup and long time rivalry with the Red Wings and the Blackhawks. The 'Hawks have been rather unsuccessful against the Red Wings this season as they have lost the first three meetings against them.

In the first two games between the 'Hawks and Wings, it was quite an offensive outpouring, as the two teams scored a total of 18 goals. Both games needed a shootout to determine the winner.

The last game between the two, however, was less then thrilling as the Red Wings won 4-0 and the 'Hawks looked extremely immature.

Expect for the 'Hawks to come out with an added fire because of how they were embarrassed in Detroit on Tuesday.

This should be an extremely entertaining game that will make every Winter Classic after it want to live up to it and become a better than it. NHL, you will not be disappointed with your choice of Wrigley Field and this Original 6 matchup.

Keys to Success for Chicago

1. Keep Composed: In the 'Hawks last game against the Wings, the biggest problem for them was keeping their composure. They looked very young and unable to bounce back from goals and from big hits; they cannot let setbacks get to them and just need to keep playing their game.

2. Initiate Contact Rather Than Retaliating: In the 'Hawks last game against the Wings they were not taking the body early, instead it was the Wings attacking the 'Hawks, physically.

With the Wings attacking all night, the 'Hawks were reduced to retaliating and many times those retaliatory hits cause penalties and left the 'Hawks unable to get back into the game.

3. Don't Take Foolish Penalties: The 'Hawks took two penalties last night that were 100 feet away from the puck. Both penalties resulted in Red Wing goals. They cannot do this again at the Winter Classic because the result will be the same, a Blackhawks loss. Keep your heads on straight boys.

4. Don't Force The Offense: Last night, the 'Hawks had to force their offense because they were trailing the entire game and if that happens again they need to just keep with their offensive game plan. Don't panic, in other words.

Players To Watch for Chicago

Patrick Kane

Kane will unveil his new stick and skates, which he designed with Bauer hockey, at the Winter Classic. He is also coming off of a game where he lost his head a little. Kane got rocked by forward Dan Cleary in the first period, and Kane spent the rest of the game trying to settle scores.

We must understand that Kane is still a young man, and games like this are going to happen, but against teams like the Red Wings, games like this must be few and far between.

This is a game that he has been looking forward to since the summer and he will bring his best to Wrigley, make sure to keep your eye on him, especially on the power play.

Cristobal Huet

Coach Quenneville has announced that it will be Cristobal Huet who will be in net for the second annual Winter Classic, so he needs to be a player to watch on New Year's Day. Earlier this season, Huet started against the Red Wings and lost, giving up four goals on 30 shots, but Huet's performance was not awful.

The goalies of the 'Hawks have not had success against the Red Wings giving up over four goals a game in their first three meetings.

The 'Hawks will likely have difficulty scoring goals against Ty Conklin, who was able to shut out the 'Hawks last night and has won all three meetings against the Wings this season.

The 'Hawks will need solid goaltending from Huet on Thursday afternoon if they want to beat the Wings.

Brian Campbell

Campbell played in the Classic last year and will bring a wealth of experience to the 'Hawks. Campbell scored the only goal for the Sabres in the 2008 Winter Classic and hopes to score another in a 'Hawks uniform.

He is a very dynamic player who has helped the 'Hawks become a legitimate team in the Western Conference. Like Kane, he has great passing and playmaking ability, so make sure to keep your eye on him on the power play and maybe he will throw in a spin-o-rama for you.

Game News and Notes

It is not known who will be the scratches for the Winter Classic, Aaron Johnson and Cam Barker have been switching back and forth as Brian Campbell's defensive partner and Coach Quenneville has not indicated who will get the nod for the Classic.

Barker brings a better offense to the blue line and a good shot for the power play. Johnson on the other hand is a good stay at home defensemen who had zero games in which he was a minus for the 'Hawks.

As for Adam Burish, it is uncertain if he will see his first action since Nov. 22, because the fourth line has been playing well without him. Craig Adams, his replacement, has recorded four points and has played well with Colin Fraser and Ben Eager.

Projected Chicago Winter Classic Line-Up

Forwards

Brouwer-Sharp-Kane

Versteeg-Toews-Byfuglien

Ladd-Bolland-Havlat

Eager-Fraser-Adams

Defense

Keith-Seabrook

Campbell-Barker

Wisniewski-Walker

Goaltender

Cristobal Huet

Projected Detroit Winter Classic Line-Up

Forward

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Zetterberg

Cleary-Franzen-Hossa

Hudler-Filppula-Samuelsson

Maltby-Draper-Kopecky

Defense

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Lilja-Lebda

Goaltender

Conklin