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PREVIEW: Blackhawks at Panthers - Jan. 17, 2021
TIME: 6 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH | RADIO: WGN 720AM / TUDN 1200AM | STREAM: NHL.TV & MyTeamsApp
The Blackhawks continue their season-opening swing through Florida as they meet the Florida Panthers for the first time this seaosn on Sunday night.
TEAM RECORDS
CHI: 0-2-0, 0 PTS
FLA: 0-0-0, 0 PTS
LAST TIME OUT
Chicago and Florida split their season series last year, dropping a 4-3 decision at the United Center on Jan. 21 before taking a 3-2 shootout victory on Feb. 29 in south Florida. Sidelined fowards Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach tied for the team lead in scoring against Florida a year ago with a goal and an assist apiece. Both were placed on long-term injured reserve on Jan. 14.
Patrick Kane leads active Blackhawks skaters with 23 career points (10G, 13A) against the Panthers.
FAMILIAR FACES
Blackhawks' forward Lucas Wallmark skated in seven regular-season games with Florida last year, notching a goal and an assist after being acquired at the trade deadline from Carolina.
Florida's roster features three former Blackhawks, Vinnie Hinostroza, Anthony Duclair and Gustav Forsling, as well as head coach Joel Quenneville, who won three Stanley Cups and 452 regular-season games in his 10-plus years as Blackhawks head coach.
LATE START
Florida is set to open their 2020-21 season on Sunday against Chicago after their scheduled opening two games against Dallas were postponed when the Stars had a COVID outbreak early in training camp. The Panthers are the only other team besides Dallas to have not played a game yet this season.
POWER CAT
Alex DeBrincat notched his 30th career power-play goal on Friday night against the Lightning. Since entering the league in 2017-18, Debrincat's 30 power-play goals are the most among Blackhawks players and shares 13th among NHL skaters during that span. He paced the club with 10 power-play tallies last year.
STROME START
Dylan Strome recorded a point (1G, 1A) in each of the first two games this season. The Ontario native has also won 58.8 percent of his faceoffs through two games. He paced Blackhawks skaters with six shots on goal on Friday vs. Tampa, which matched a single-game career high.
I'm hoping we get to see Lankinen start in net.