Chicago Blackhawks play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets - NHL Previews
The final game of Friday will be hosted by the defending champions Chicago Blackhawks as they square off against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This will be fifth of the six scheduled meetings to take place between the two sides. Out of the four meetings, Blue Jackets have won only one, 3-2 when the teams met for the second time in the season.
In their most recent meeting on the 1st of February 2011, the Hawks thrashed the Blue Jackets winning the game 7-4 in the end. Hawks made a disastrous start to the season which saw them slipping to the bottom of the league table. However, they
have been thought of as a team that would make the cut after the good form and performances they have piled.
Blue Jackets on the other have no different story to that of the Hawks as they had a poor start to the season. They too have been coming up with some decent performances and will give their best as they search a play-off spot.
Joel Quenneville, Coach of the Hawks was hospitalized after his critical health and things have been very difficult for them as they chase to defend their crown. However, assistant manager has done a good job as well leading the team to a 3-1 win against
the Minnesota Wild this past Wednesday securing crucial points as they look to make their way up the league and conference tables.
Hawks have shown good form as they haven’t lost a game during the course of regulation time in their last four games. They are currently sitting in 11th position in the Western Conference but importantly are just four points behind the Kings who
are in the final play-off position. The Hawks will be looking to Patrick Kane to shine once again as he has done over the past few games.
Though he didn’t manage to register any points in the last two games but before that Kane with his productive performances bagged seven points in three games.
The Hawks have played 57 games out of which they have won 29 games in regulation time, six games in overtime and scored a total of 64 points.
On the other hand, Blue Jackets have played 57 games too out of which they have won 28 games in regulation time, six games in overtime and scored 62 points.
Blue Jackets had a miserable start to the season which unlike their competitors for the night saw them in the bottom half of the table for most of the season. They are currently two points behind the Hawks which makes the game all the more exciting.
Blue Jackets still have a big chance of making it into the play-offs as the fifth to 12th teams are separated by just six points. The game will surely be entertaining and close with both teams having similar odds of emerging as winners of the
game.
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