Players to Watch: CHI vs CBJ (2/11/21)
(Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
Thursday kicks off another 2 game series with the Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks are coming in hot riding a 3 game winning streak. The season series is 1-1, so which team takes the lead?
The Blackhawks ended January with 2 games against Columbus. In the first, they lost 2-1. They won the second game by a score of 3-1.
Chicago and Columbus are 2 of only 3 teams in the Central Division that have played 14 games, so it’s easier to compare the two teams. Chicago rolls into Thursday night’s game with a record of 6-4-4 and only 1 regulation loss in their last 10 games. Columbus has a record of 6-5-3. Their last 10 games aren’t as stellar as the Hawks’, but they remain only 1 point behind them in the standings. If Chicago wants to compete for a playoff spot, grabbing points from this series would be huge. It’s still early, but I’m going to say these are important games.
Goal Differential Time!
With both teams at the same number of games, you don’t have to twist your brain as hard to compare their differentials. In 14 games, Chicago has scored 39 goals and allowed 41 for a DIFF of -2. It’s improving! Columbus has scored 39 goals and allowed 45 for a differential of -6.
Goaltending looks to be even more important in this series.
Here are your players to watch.
Alex DeBrincat
Alex DeBrincat has been the most productive player on the ice for the Blackhawks to this point. He’s second in points on the team - 5 behind Patrick Kane in 4 fewer games. With Andrew Shaw being ruled out due to another concussion and the first power play unit already struggling to score, I’m looking to DeBrincat to step it up a notch and get them back on track. He’s had some chances, hopefully he can bury another one (or more!) tonight.
Philipp Kurashev
Philipp Kurashev was moved to the wing in Tuesday’s game against Dallas with Pius Suter taking the first line center role back. Even if he gets demoted in his 5v5 role, the second power play unit has been thriving from him and Kubalik working their magic. If they aren’t the ones scoring, they’re keeping the puck in the zone and setting up goals for their line mates. The only Blackhawks regulation goal on Tuesday night came from PP2 - Mattias Janmark from Kurashev and Kubalik. Here’s to hoping they see more ice time in this game and he continues his great play. It’s still to be seen where he slots in 5v5 tonight, but he’s looked impressive everywhere he’s played this far.
Calvin de Haan
Oh, Calvin. De Haan has had a rough start to the season. He’s been on the ice for a lot of quality chances and/or goals against. The Blackhawks rolled with 7D on Tuesday and Connor Murphy is out with a hip injury. Losing a top defensive d-man means the other guys need to step up. I’m looking to de Haan to have a better game tonight. He doesn’t have to be great, but maybe he won’t be on for a goal against.
It’s my birthday, please win.