Florida: 6-4-1 (13PTS)
Chicago: 7-2-2 (16PTS)
Season Series: 0-0-0
Game Time: 7:30 PM EDT
Television: Fox Sports Florida, Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Radio: 560 WQAM
Dale Tallon’s former team returns to South Florida for the second year in a row. While they already got their grudge rematch in Chicago last season after being one of the only teams beaten by the post-trade deadline Panthers last season, this will be the first time the Blackhawks encounter a team truly built by Tallon. Florida, though struggling to close games, are having their best start in several seasons and sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference while the Blackhawks are top in the west. This game is the first time the former Blackhawks contingent on the Panthers have faced their former club, as well as the first time former Panther Rostislav Olesz will face his former team, though if the past week is any indication, he’ll be facing Keaton Ellerby in the press box.
More from our Chicago cohorts at Second City Hockey.
Blackhawks vs Panthers coverage coverage at SB Nation.
TSN Preview.
LBC Game Thread will open 30 minutes prior to puck drop.
News and Notes
Last meeting
Goaltender Corey Crawford got the win and defenseman Brent Seabrook the game winning goal as the Hawks shut out the visiting Panthers 4-0 in Chicago on March 23.
Last game
After trailing most of the game, the Panthers picked up a 3-2 lead on the Winnipeg Jets in the late minutes of the third period on Monday night, only to have the game tied on a questionable goal with the goalie pulled. The Panthers would lose in the resulting shootout.
Lineup
Injured forward Sean Bergenheim is expected to start tonight’s game, so Tim Kennedy was returned to San Antonio on Wednesday. Goaltender Scott Clemmensen is near to a return and will be sent to San Antonio for a conditioning stint. He is slated to play for the Rampage on Saturday.
Injuries
- G Scott Clemmensen (knee), 9/26, 3-8 weeks
- Mikael Samuelsson (rehab from abdominal surgery), 10/24, week to week
- Sean Bergenheim (core), 10/20, 1-2 weeks
Healthy Scratches
Starting goaltenders:
The Panthers’ starting goaltender will be a game-time decision. The Blackhawks have also not announced a starter. The Hawks play tomorrow in Tampa, so will likely play both goaltenders between the two games.
Lines (from practice)
Forwards
- Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
- Bergenheim-Santorelli-Kopecky
- Sturm-Goc-Skille
- Bradley-Matthias-Upshall
Defense
- Campbell-Garrison
- Jovanovski-Gudbranson
- Kulikov-Weaver