Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Hawks Begin 9 Game Trip Against Hated Canucks


The Chicago Blackhawks will begin a 9 game road trip against the hated Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night in British Columbia.  The heart and soul of the team, Jonathan Toews, will make his return to the lineup after missing a game and a half plus the All-Star game with a wrist injury suffered when he was slashed in a game against the Florida Panthers.  Patrick Sharp will also make his return after missing the last 3 weeks with a broken bone in his left wrist.  Center Brendan Morrison is expected to make his Hawks debut after being acquired in a trade over the break from the Calgary Flames.  Morrison could move into the second line center slot moving Marcus Kruger down to the fourth line.  Corey Crawford will get the start in net for the Hawks.  Corey Schneider will start for the Canucks as Roberto Luongo will hide on the bench again with the Hawks in town.  The Hawks need to pick it up on the road during this trip as they come in just 10-9-2 away from United Center.  The Canucks come in 14-6-3 on home ice.  This is the third meeting of the year for the bitter rivals with both teams winning a game in the other team’s building.  Marian Hossa leads the Hawks with 53 points and Jonathan Toews has a team high 27 goals.  For the Canucks it’s the Sedin’s leading the way Henrik with 52 points, and brother Daniel with 21 goals.  Both teams come in with 64 points just 3 points  behind The Red Wings for the Western Conference lead so needless to say it is a big game tonight.

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