Game 28 - Canadiens at Blackhawks

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Match Up

The Canadiens (17-8-2) continue their road trip Friday night as they are in Chicago to face the Blackhawks (16-8-1). The game starts at 8:30 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the second and final meeting between the Habs and the Hawks this season. The Canadiens dropped the first game on home ice 5-0. Despite out-shooting the Blackhawks 11-5 in the first period, the Canadiens went into the first intermission trailing 1-0 on a goal by Jonathon Toews. Corey Crawford made 28 saves in the game to earn the shutout.

What to Watch

Alex Galchenyuk scored his sixth goal of the season against the Wild on Wednesday, it was his third straight game with a point, bringing him up to 17 on the season. Like Galchenyuk, PK Subban also extended his point streak to three games and reached 17 points on the season with an assist on Wednesday.

The Blackhawks have won four straight led by the trio of Patrick Kane, Kris Verteeg and Brad Richards. Kane has 25 points on the season including seven in his last games. Versteeg has a goal and six assists in his last three games and Richards has five points in his last three.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens have slipped to three points back of the Lightning for top spot in the East, and are two points back on the
PenguinsIslanders (the Islanders, really? are you sure?) as well. Moreover, the Canadiens have a chance to avenge the 5-0 loss they suffered to the Blackhawks on home ice earlier in the year.

Who's Out

Michael Bournival has been sent the the Bulldogs for reconditioning as he nears his return to the Habs lineup.

Corey Crawford injured his foot at a concert earlier in the week and will be out for two to three weeks. Patrick Sharp (leg) and Trevor Van Riemsdyk (knee) are also out for the Hawks.

What Else

The Canadiens are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Wild on Wednesday, it was the 11th time in 27 games that the team was held to one goal or fewer in regulation. It's a trend the team will need to reverse if they expect to have continued success as the season progresses.

The Question Mark

While Carey Price has probably been the team's MVP to this point in the season, who has been the team's best skater?

Tonight's Show

Join myself Rob Elbaz along with Steve Farnham and Jesse Dorais for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 7:30 on Friday to preview the Habs and Blackhawks.

Posted in: alex galchenyuk,brad richards,carey price,corey crawford,Jonathon Toews,Kris Verteeg,p.k subban,patrick kane