Tonight at 7:30PM ET, the Florida Panthers will take on the Blackhawks at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL. United Center in Chicago, IL. This is the second of two contests this season between the two, after the Cats dropped a 3-2 shootout decision in Chicago on Tuesday night.
Before that, the last time the Panthers played the Blackhawks was on December 8th, 2013 in Chicago. Dylan Olsen (2) and Marcel Goc (7) were no match for the Hawks, who scored six times on 32 shots against Scott Clemmensen. Patrick Sharp (one goal, two assists), Patrick Kane (three assists), Marian Hossa (one goal, one assist), Brandon Saad (one goal, one assist), Brent Seabrook (one goal, one assist) and Jonathan Toews (two assists) finished with multiple points for Chicago, while Michal Handzus and Andrew Shaw also lit the lamp for the bad guys. Antti Raanta stopped 29 shots for the win. * Box Score
The Panthers haven’t earned a victory in the series since March 8th, 2011, on first period markers from David Booth (20), Clay Wilson (1), and Marty Reasoner (14). Kane (22) and Hossa (19) scored for Chicago, who dropped the matchup by a 3-2 final. The Panthers won the game despite being able to only muster up a total of 15 shots, to 39 for the Hawks. Tomas Vokoun stopped 37 of them for the win. * Box Score
Florida has managed only nine wins in 29 tries to this point through their history in the series, against 15 regulation losses, two in overtime, and three ties. Their .397 points percentage ranks as their fourth worst against any team.
Now, a little more about tonight’s opponent for the second time in three nights.
Forward Corps
First Line
20 – Brandon Saad
Saad, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a 22-year-old former second round pick of Chicago in 2011. A 6’1″, 202 lb. winger in his fourth NHL season, he’s shot above 10% in each of his three full NHL seasons. He’s currently gunning at a 12.6% clip.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
186 |
47 |
67 |
114 |
|
This Season |
60 |
18 |
22 |
40 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
|
vs. Florida |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Assets: | Has excellent offensive instincts and natural scoring ability. Skates well and also possesses good NHL size. Puts points on the board with consistency. |
| Flaws: | Could stand to be more selfish and shoot the puck more. Needs more work on his defense. Is inconsistent in terms of utilizing his 6-1, 202-pound frame. |
| Career Potential: | Talented winger with good upside. |
19 – Jonathan Toews
Toews, a 6’2″, 208 lb. center from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was Chicago’s first round pick in 2006, third overall. A 26-year-old eight-year veteran, he’s a three-time all-star, a two-time Champion, and the winner of the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy and the 2013 Frank Selke Trophy.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
544 |
212 |
276 |
488 |
|
This Season |
60 |
17 |
31 |
48 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
vs. Florida |
10 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
| Assets: | Has tremendous hockey sense, vision and athletic ability. Skates extremely well and is very responsible in his own end. Intense, he can plow through heavy traffic areas thanks to his puckhandling skills and strength. Throw in leadership skills and you have the total package. |
| Flaws: | Has a tendency to run a little hot and cold in the goal-scoring department. His competitive, physical style will always be a concern for injury. In fact, he has already had to deal with significant concussion issues in his National Hockey League career. |
| Career Potential: | Elite two-way captain and star center. |
81 – Marian Hossa
Hossa, a 6’1″, 210 lb. winger from Stara Lubovna, Czechoslovakia, was originally selected with the 12th overall pick in 1997, by the Ottawa Senators. Now 36-years-old and with his fifth NHL team, he’s playing in his 17th season at hockey’s top level. He’s played at such a high level for so long that he’s totaled at least 19 points against every other NHL team (he’s scored 11 against Chicago, too). His 61 points against Florida is his most against anyone.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
1,150 |
481 |
557 |
1,038 |
|
This Season |
60 |
17 |
26 |
43 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
|
vs. Florida |
51 |
32 |
29 |
61 |
| Assets: | Is shifty and hard to knock off the puck. Has great hockey sense and a fine set of hands. He’s also awesome in all three zones and a tremendous back-checker. |
| Flaws: | Doesn’t assert himself physically enough to dominate at crunch time. Also needs to become more of a go-to player in the playoffs. Concussions may be an issue now. |
| Career Potential: | Elite two-way winger, when healthy. |
Second Line
10 – Patrick Sharp
Sharp is a 6’1″, 199 lb. winger from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Selected in the third round in 2001 by the Philadelphia Flyers, he’s a 33-year-old 12-year-veteran in his 10th season with the Blackhawks. He hasn’t scored a point in eight games.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
723 |
243 |
271 |
514 |
|
This Season |
46 |
10 |
21 |
31 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
vs. Florida |
11 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
| Assets: | Has plenty of versatility and skill. Skates very well and has the hockey sense to play a top-six role at any forward position. Has an excellent shot and is especially dangerous coming down the wing on the outside due to his speed. Kills penalties with aplomb. |
| Flaws: | Tends to wear down over the course of the long National Hockey League season. Is better when playing a wing position than at center, where he struggles with face-offs and overall defensive positioning. Can go into prolonged scoring slumps, too. |
| Career Potential: | Quality, versatile veteran scoring forward. |
91 – Brad Richards
Richards is a 34-year-old pivot from Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island. 6′ and 196 lbs., he was a third round selection in 1998 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Hawks are the fourth NHL team for the 14-year-veteran.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
1,039 |
285 |
613 |
898 |
|
This Season |
57 |
9 |
22 |
31 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
vs. Florida |
56 |
19 |
31 |
50 |
| Assets: | Has incredible imagination with the puck and excellent playmaking ability. Has good anticipation and functions expertly during pressure situations. Likes to shoot the puck often when playing the point on the power play. Is a leader by example. |
| Flaws: | Isn’t big or physical, so he can wear down against bigger opposing centers. Also, he can be a bit too soft at times. His defensive game has regressed a little bit over time. Has never been a particularly swift skater or very vocal leader, either. |
| Career Potential: | Savvy veteran scoring center. |
23 – Kris Versteeg
Versteeg is a 28-year-old, 5’11”, 183 lb. winger from Lethbridge, Alberta. He was initially selected by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round in 2004 and made his NHL debut in 2008 with Chicago. Since his first appearance, he has made stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Panthers. He’s now playing in his eighth NHL season.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
452 |
114 |
157 |
271 |
|
This Season |
40 |
12 |
18 |
30 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
vs. Florida |
9 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
| Assets: | Has excellent offensive instincts and is a good dangler with the puck. Sneaky, he gets around the offensive zone and has a nose for the net with a pretty good wrister. Is also decent without the puck and in the defensive zone. |
| Flaws: | Is smallish by NHL standards, and as a result has difficulty winning corner battles in the big league due to a lack of strength. Can be a bit inconsistent in terms of his overall play at times. Has limitations on offense. |
| Career Potential: | Solid, versatile scoring forward. |
Third Line
29 – Brian Bickell
Bickell, a 6’4″, 233 lb. winger from Bowmanville, Ontario, is a second round pick of Chicago in 2004. The 28-year-old is in his ninth NHL season.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
339 |
62 |
67 |
129 |
|
This Season |
60 |
11 |
13 |
24 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
vs. Florida |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Assets: | Has great size and strength for the wing position. Is defensively responsible in his own zone, and can dominate along the boards. Has an excellent wrist shot and some untapped offensive ability. |
| Flaws: | Lacks consistency. May never meet offensive expectations because of average skating ability. Must always use his 6-4 frame to his advantage in order to be an effective winger, but he forgets that sometimes. |
| Career Potential: | Depth power winger with great size. |
65 – Andrew Shaw
Shaw is a 23-year-old, 5’10”, 180 lb. center from Belleville, Ontario. He was selected by the Blackhawks in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, and is now in his fourth NHL season.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
222 |
50 |
42 |
92 |
|
This Season |
57 |
9 |
6 |
15 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
vs. Florida |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Assets: | Displays a very good work rate and two-way acumen. Enjoys agitating opponents and throwing them off their game. Also displays versatility up front. |
| Flaws: | Will be hard-pressed to match his junior scoring totals at the National Hockey League level. Lacks ideal NHL size. Needs more work on his skating. |
| Career Potential: | Agitating two-way forward with a little upside. |
86 – Teuvo Teravainen
Teravainen is a 20-year-old, 5’11”, 169 lb. pivot, and Chicago’s first round selection in 2012, 18th overall. Still officially a rookie, he actually appeared in three games last season.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
18 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
This Season |
15 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
vs. Florida |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets: | Has outstanding offensive instincts and the versatility to play any forward position. Skates well and also has great hands and playmaking acumen. |
| Flaws: | Needs to add significant bulk and become much stronger in order to thrive as a top-six forward at the National Hockey League level. |
| Career Potential: | Talented, versatile scoring forward with good upside. |
Fourth Line
42 – Joakim Nordstrom
Nordstrom is a 6’1″, 160 lb. natural center from Stockholm, Sweden. The 22-year-old second year player was picked in the third round of the 2010 draft by Chicago.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
40 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
This Season |
24 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
vs. Florida |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets: | Owns a very projectable frame and plenty of lineup versatility, mainly due to his polished two-way game. Can kill penalties and play both winger and center. |
| Flaws: | The jury is still out on his long-range scoring upside. Also, he needs to add more bulk in order to withstand the rigors of the National Hockey League. |
| Career Potential: | Versatile two-way forward with a little upside. |
16 – Marcus Kruger
Kruger is a 24-year-old fifth year player from Stockholm, Sweden. The 6′, 181 lb. pivot was a fifth round pick of the Blackhawks in 2009.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
266 |
26 |
54 |
80 |
|
This Season |
60 |
5 |
8 |
13 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
vs. Florida |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets: | Has an abundance of two-way ability and very good puck skills. Reads the play well and is very heady. Kills penalties with aplomb. Can score goals, too. |
| Flaws: | Lacks both size and strength, which can hinder his chances of thriving on the smaller North American ice. Needs to display more consistency from game to game. |
| Career Potential: | Two-way center with some upside. |
28 – Ben Smith
Smith is a 5’11”, 207 lb. winger from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 26-year-old, five-year veteran was a sixth round pick of Chicago in 2008.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
153 |
23 |
16 |
39 |
|
This Season |
58 |
5 |
4 |
9 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
vs. Florida |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets: | Is versatile up front and has good skating ability. Is also fairly strong, due to a strong lower base. Is courageous and will work his way into the tough scoring areas. Has two-way upside. |
| Flaws: | Lacks high-end offensive skills, and also lacks ideal size for the National Hockey League game. Is not a physical player. Needs to find his niche in the NHL. |
| Career Potential: | Versatile depth forward with a little upside. |
Defensemen
First Pairing
2 – Duncan Keith
Keith, Chicago’s second round choice in 2002, is a 31-year-old, 6’1″, 200 lb. blueliner from Winnipeg, Manitoba in his 10th NHL season. The three-time all-star won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2010 and 2014.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
745 |
72 |
333 |
405 |
|
This Season |
59 |
7 |
28 |
35 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
vs. Florida |
10 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
| Assets: | Is as good a skater as you can find from the back end. Can log ridiculous amounts of ice time effortlessly. Excels at using his mobility to shut down opposing forwards. Has above-average two-way instincts for the blueline position. Plays a very cerebral game, too. |
| Flaws: | Is a little undersized to play against giant-sized NHL forwards. May not be capable of taking his offensive game to the next level, as he’s not a natural power-play quarterback. Could also stand to improve his shot from the point. |
| Career Potential: | Elite all-round defenseman. |
5 – David Rundblad
Rundblad is a 6’2″, 195 lb. defenseman from Lycksele, Sweden. The 24-year-old was selected 17th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2009, and is in his fifth NHL season with his third team.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
92 |
4 |
17 |
21 |
|
This Season |
37 |
3 |
9 |
12 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
vs. Florida |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Assets: | Has poise and excellent puck-moving and passing acumen–he knows when to dish it off. Can really shoot the disc. Also boasts a good frame to grow into and has plenty of offensive upside. |
| Flaws: | Needs to continue upgrading his skating, as well as make better use of his 6-2 frame. An excellent offensive player, he can’t forget about his defensive responsibilities. |
| Career Potential: | Talented puck-moving defenseman with upside. |
Second Pairing
4 – Niklas Hjalmarsson
Hjalmarsson is a 6’3″, 207 lb. defender from Eksjo, Sweden. The 27-year-old eight-year veteran was picked in the fourth round of the 2005 draft by Chicago.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
447 |
15 |
79 |
94 |
|
This Season |
60 |
2 |
10 |
12 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
vs. Florida |
8 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
| Assets: | Can log big minutes and is adept at shutting opponents down. Has a very solid frame, grit and plenty of puck-moving ability. Gives his all every time he hits the ice. |
| Flaws: | Doesn’t own high-end offensive acumen, or the ability to quarterback a power play, so that limits his overall value to his team. Also, he isn’t much of an intimidator. |
| Career Potential: | Solid big-minute defenseman. |
7 – Brent Seabrook
Seabrook, a 6’3″, 221 lb. blueliner from Richmond, British Columbia, was picked 14th overall by the Blackhawks in 2003. The 29-year-old, 10-year veteran just played in his first all-star game, and has missed just 10 games through his entire career.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
741 |
70 |
244 |
314 |
|
This Season |
60 |
7 |
20 |
27 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
vs. Florida |
11 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
| Assets: | Plays in control and without a lot of panic in his own end. Also displays a great combination of size, strength and skating ability. Logs big minutes against the opposition’s best. Owns a very big shot and is a solid passer. Has both offensive acumen and shutdown capability. |
| Flaws: | Doesn’t use his size (6-3, 221 pounds) nearly enough to intimidate opposing players, mainly because he’s not an overly aggressive type by nature. Lacks high-end offensive skills, aside from his big point shot. Can at times leave himself exposed to the big hit. |
| Career Potential: | Excellent all-round defenseman. |
Third Pairing
26 – Kyle Cumiskey
Cumiskey is a 5’10”, 185 lb. defenseman from Abbotsford, British Columbia. The 28-year-old, six-year veteran was originally chosen in the seventh round of the 2005 draft by the Colorado Avalanche, with whom he played from 2006 through 2011. When he recently joined the team on February 13th, it was his first NHL appearance in just over four years.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
136 |
9 |
26 |
35 |
|
This Season |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
vs. Florida |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets: | Is very mobile along the blueline and capable of logging big minutes from the back end. Also has some offensive and puck-moving ability. |
| Flaws: | Size will always be an issue for him at the highest level, as he isn’t physically strong enough to thrive against NHL forward. Injuries can be an issue here. |
| Career Potential: | Mobile depth defenseman. |
32 – Michal Rozsival
Rozsival is a 6’1″, 212 lb. defenseman from Vlasim, Czechoslovakia. The 36-year-old, 14-year veteran was initially chosen in the fourth round of the 1996 draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and is now playing with his fourth team.
|
|
Games |
G |
A |
Pts |
|
Career |
873 |
66 |
222 |
288 |
|
This Season |
48 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
Last 10 played |
10 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
vs. Florida |
36 |
3 |
12 |
15 |
| Assets: | Has a good combination of passing kills and hockey sense from the point. Is a good-sized defender with sound mobility. Blocks shots with aplomb. Is savvy. |
| Flaws: | Doesn’t always play with optimum intensity. Should make better use of his 6-1, 212-pound frame, since he is at times a little too soft, but he rarely does. |
| Career Potential: | Savvy veteran defenseman. |
Goaltenders
Probable Starter
50 – Corey Crawford
Crawford, a 30-year-old, 6’2″, 208 lb. netminder from Montreal, Quebec, was picked by Chicago in the second round of the 2003 draft. He’s now in his eighth NHL season.
|
|
Games |
W |
L |
OTL |
SV% |
GAA |
SO |
|
Career |
252 |
138 |
73 |
33 |
0.915 |
2.36 |
11 |
|
This Season |
41 |
23 |
14 |
4 |
0.918 |
2.36 |
1 |
|
Last 10 played |
7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0.915 |
2.47 |
0 |
|
vs. Florida |
5 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0.930 |
1.88 |
1 |
| Assets: | Has the big-league frame all NHL teams look for in a starting netminder. Also boasts the right demeanor to be a dependable starter. Can come up with spectacular saves at the right time. |
| Flaws: | Is prone to having a bad night in the crease area from time to time. Also, at times his glove hand gets exposed when he’s in a slump. His ability to play 60 games regularly is in question, too. |
| Career Potential: | Talented, clutch goaltender. |
Probable Backup
33 – Scott Darling
Darlingsh
Join us later in the gamethread, immediately following for the recat, and tomorrow morning for the AM wrap. Next up for the Cats, the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday afternoon in Sunrise.