IGT 12/17 Detroit (SUCKS!) @ Chicago Blackhawks

[tbo41fan]

VS.

Preview:

RED WINGS (20-7-3) at BLACKHAWKS (16-14-3)

TV: NHLN-US (HD), FS-D (HD), CSN-CH (HD)

Last 10: Detroit 6-3-1; Chicago 5-4-1

Season series: The Wings hold a 1-0 edge in the season series after topping the Hawks 3-2 in Chicago's home opener on Oct. 9.

Big story: A year after Chicago broke through and ended Detroit's decade-long domination of the NHL's Central Division, the Blackhawks seem to be letting their Stanley Cup rings weigh them down in the standings. The Red Wings have built a comfortable cushion over their Original Six rival, but with five more to be played between these two, Friday is one of a few opportunities for the Hawks to gain some ground in a competitive division race.

Team Scope:

Red Wings: Last season's second-place finish was an unusual scare that the Winged Wheel's advancing age might finally be catching up, but this season has shown that might have merely been a blip on the radar for hockey's dominant franchise of the last two decades. Detroit has a five- and eight-point lead in the Central over its closest trailers, Nashville and Columbus, respectively, and while many might assume the Hawks to be the Red Wings' biggest threat down the stretch, the Wings have an eight-point lead and three games in hand on the defending champs.

If anything, Detroit, which has won three of its last four, might be showing that not only is the age of some of its stars irrelevant, but that some old dogs can learn new hat tricks. In the Wings' last outing, a 5-2 win against St. Louis on Wednesday, future Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom lit the lamp three times for the first trifecta of his 19-year career. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have Henrik Zetterberg on the ice with you. The Swede tallied 4 assists against the Blues, giving him 8 points in his last five games, but an even bigger help for the team might be goalie Jimmy Howard. While Howard has endured a recent rough stretch, winning only two of his last five starts, his league-leading 17 victories are evidence that youth, too, is being served in the Motor City.

Blackhawks: While Friday's showdown with the Wings is a big opportunity for the Hawks to climb back into the Central race, it may loom larger as an opportunity to simply stem Chicago's recent slide. The Blackhawks have lost three straight games, including a recent home-and-home sweep at the hands of Colorado, which has given them a significant amount of ground to make up as the season nears its midway point. While those three losses are troublesome, Chicago's situation in net might be even more dire. After an impressive stretch in November, young goaltender Corey Crawford may be coming back to Earth. Crawford's last three outings have left him on the short side of the ledger and he surrendered two goals in relief of starter Marty Turco in Colorado on Monday before giving up four more against the Avs on Wednesday night at the United Center.

Those losses can't be put on the shoulders of Chicago's offense either. While the Hawks have struggled with Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane out for extended periods, they did score eight goals in those two games with the Avalanche. Jonathan Toews has done his part with 3 goals and 4 assists in the last five games, but Chicago will continue to struggle without more production from Patrick Sharp. Despite being among the league leaders in scoring, Sharp has just 1 goal and 1 assist in the last six games.

Who's hot: Right wing Danny Cleary has provided some solid scoring punch for Detroit lately, tallying 2 goals and 3 assists in his last four games. … Bryan Bickell has given the Hawks a surprising boost with 4 goals and 2 assists in his last five games.

Injury report: The Red Wings remain without Mike Modano, who has been on IR indefinitely since late November after having surgery on his right wrist. … Chicago is still making do without the services of Marian Hossa (lower-body injury) and Patrick Kane (ankle), but the Hawks may also be without Fernando Pisani and Viktor Stalberg, who are both questionable with upper-body injuries.

Stat pack: The point has been hashed and rehashed already this season, but it bears repeating just how profound a difference Chicago has experienced on home ice this season. After dominating at the United Center a season ago, the Blackhawks are only 8-9-0 in Chicago in the current campaign. That they have nine home losses by mid-December is nothing less than remarkable considering they lost all of 11 games at the UC in the entire 2009-10 regular season.

Puck drop: Friday's outcome obviously will have a far greater impact for Chicago than Detroit. The Blackhawks are struggling in ways that will be difficult for the young team to cope with after a championship season in which most breaks went its way. Still, while the Red Wings will remain in first place regardless come Saturday morning, one can't underestimate a valuable opportunity to an early potential knockout punch to a division rival.

Red Wings at Blackhawks - 12/17/2010 - NHL.com - Game Previews

<3​

 

[DMelt36]

I wonder what the reaction Cheli gets tonight ....

Part of me hopes that people remember when he was the face of the franchise in the 90s and forget about the decade that followed.

But another part of me wouldn't be surprised if he gets booed all night long.

 

[tbo41fan]

I dont think he will be booed.......atleast I hope he doesnt.

When I became a fan of the Hawks, he wasn't on the team anymore, so unfortunately I only saw him as a wing.


Kinda nerdy, but the one season I played defense, I watched a few of his games when he played to pick up some pointers

 

[DMelt36]

I missed the prime of Chelios' career in Chicago, but I've heard people talk about how great of a player he was while wearing the Indianhead. The guy did win a Norris Trophy here.

But the fact that he asked for a trade to Detroit is something that some people may not be able to forgive.

 

[tbo41fan]

I guess it's easy for me since I wasn't a fan yet when it happened? :shrug:

 

[DMelt36]

I was too young to know the story behind it, I just remember the day he was traded ... for a few draft picks and Anders freaking Erikkson.

But I distinctly remember them booing the crap out of him everytime he touched the puck.

 

[Capt. Serious]

My favorite Hawk. Met him when I was like 5 years old.

He signed alot of stuff for me.

People said he was a ****** but was a real nice guy to me.

That said, I wanted to throw up after he got traded to the Wings.

50/50 IMO tonight, though who knows.

 

[nickofypres]

Wings will win big

 

[Capt. Serious]

It's ok, Scott & his useless 2+ mins of ice time will save the day.

Dude skates like he has shit in his pants.

 

[tbo41fan]

Yea, Scott is definitely the biggest problem on this team right now

 

[DewsSox79]

I dont think he will be booed.......atleast I hope he doesnt.

When I became a fan of the Hawks, he wasn't on the team anymore, so unfortunately I only saw him as a wing.


Kinda nerdy, but the one season I played defense, I watched a few of his games when he played to pick up some pointers

do you know who we traded to get him? dont google it wuss

 

[derosabomb]

tbo ftw.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Johnson's dream come true. Playing with Scott.

 

[Captain Iago]

I wonder what the reaction Cheli gets tonight ....

Part of me hopes that people remember when he was the face of the franchise in the 90s and forget about the decade that followed.

But another part of me wouldn't be surprised if he gets booed all night long.

You're right, Melt. I have a feeling it will be pretty well mixed as well....unless many who remember/know sold their tix to band-wagoners.

Kinda sad. But we must lie in the beds we make.

 

[Captain Iago]

It also goes deeper than simply wanting/accepting a trade to Detroit.

 

[southern_cross_116]

do you know who we traded to get him? dont google it wuss

Denis Savard ...

it hurt like hell too -- then well, it worked... it was the Summer of 1990 I think - probably June - I seem to remember it happening the mid to later part of the month - I had just moved to Kansas City at the time.

 

[Capt. Serious]

I know Soupy has played well.

But for **** sakes, shoot the puck for once.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

The whole Chelios night is weird.

And I'm not looking forward to seeing this Hawks lineup take on Detroit.

Could be bad.

 

[Relapse]

Datsyuk is playing some of the best hockey of his career. I hate the Redwings will every part of my being but it hard not to enjoy watching the way Pavel Datsyuk plays. Niklas Lidstrom is back to being the best defensmen in the league at age 70, the guy is a machine.

Not only do I really want this win because it is Detroit and to avenge our banner raising night loss but we really need this win to keep our heads above water in the standings. We are already well out of a playoff seed and we need to start making some ground up starting tonight.

 

[Captain Iago]

"Let bygones be bygones."