Chicago Blackhawks Today

The Blackhawks head home from Denver to take on the division rival Blue Jackets tonight at the United Center. Riding a three game winning streak, the Blackhawks are looking to separate, just a little bit more, from the rest of the central division’s teams. Currently the Blackhawks trail the division leading Detroit Red Wings by 9 points, but hold an 8 point advantage over cellar dwellers St. Louis. Even earlier this week, the battle for second place in the division was very tight, but the Blackhawks have been able to break away slightly as this week has progressed. A regulation win versus Columbus and the Blackhawks will pull away just a bit more.

It should be expected that Cristobal Huet will start in goal for the Blackhawks to counter Steve Mason, who is making his third consecutive start for the Jacks. The last time the Blackhawks faced Columbus, Huet made 48 saves and won the shootout in a Blackhawks victory. Columbus is a team that likes to throw the puck at the front of the net to see what happens, and after the subpar performance by Nik Khabibulin in the Blackhawks’ victory against the Avalanche, a change in goaltender is most certainly on the slate for tonight.

The Blackhawks should take the ice tonight like this:
Versteeg-Toews-Byfuglien
Brouwer-Sharp-Kane
Ladd-Bolland-Havlat
Eager-Fraser-Adams

Keith-Seabrook
Barker-Campbell
Sopel-Walker

Huet

The Blue Jackets might be missing Fredrik Modin tonight, and there might be some lineup changes before the game. Its likely a pregame decision, so, pending early confirmation, here is how the Blue Jackets should line up:

Huselius-Unberger-Nash
Chimera-Brassard-Modin(?)
Murray-Malhotra-Voracek
Wilson-Peca-Boll

Hejda-Commodore
Tyutin-Methot
Backman-Russell

Mason

If Modin cannot play, Jiri Novotny would take his place, and would probably play Right Wing on the third or fourth line, moving Voracek and/or Boll up. If news breaks early you can catch it here, and at the best source for Blackhawks news, herecomethehawks.net

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