Players to Watch: CHI vs NYI (10/19/21)
(Photo by Joe Sargent NHLI via Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks are 0-2-1 through three games. Tonight, they’re taking on the New York Islander who are 0-2. One of these teams has to get their first win of the season. Which one is it going to be?
No one expected these two teams to start the year this way. The Islanders made a good run in the playoffs last year, and the Blackhawks made a lot of roster changes in the offseason. It’s still early, but these are two teams that are really looking to turn this thing around early. That could make for a very interesting game or a very sad game between two completely defeated teams.
Ready for the Goal Differential funness?
Through two games, the New York Islanders have scored 4 goals while allowing 11. They have a DIFF of -7.
Surprisingly, the Blackhawks have a better goal differential.
Through three games, the Chicago Blackhawks have scored 7 goals while allowing 13 for a DIFF of -6.
See, it’s better! It’s only +1 better . . . but that’s still better.
Here are your players to watch!
Marc-André Fleury
Simply put - if the Blackhawks want to be better, then Marc-André Fleury needs to be better. Especially in the first period. He’s started two of the first three games and allowed 3 goals and 4 goals respectively in the first period. Tonight, the Hawks are back at home. The home crowd is going to be excited to see him. Let’s hope he pulls off a better performance.
Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane showed up and scored a power play goal on Saturday. Congratulations. Patrick Kane also needs to show up for the entire game. He certainly likes playing it up for the home crowd, so will his play on the ice tonight reflect that? Hopefully.
Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews had a pretty good training camp and preseason for a player who missed a full season of hockey. Through three games in the regular season, he has yet to score a point and is a -4. There is absolutely no better time for Jonny to get going on the scoresheet than during the home opener. The crowd at the United Center would erupt and it would be a great motivator for the team.