Panthers at Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks have made one of the biggest turnarounds in the league this season, and look to extend their season-high winning streak to six games when they host former coach Joel Quenneville and his surging Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The Blackhawks lost nine of the first 12 games this season (3-6-3), but have won 11 of the past 15 to pull within three points of a Western Conference playoff position.
“Our habits are better and we’re protecting each other with how we play,” Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton told reporters after Sunday’s 5-2 victory over Winnipeg. “That’s the big thing. And with that, you gain confidence. You gain confidence that the guy beside you is going to do the right thing, there’s a little bit of peer pressure as well to do it for him. We’re improving, too.” Quenneville, who won Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015, has Florida on track for an Eastern Conference playoff spot in his first season at the helm and can expect a warm welcome from the fans in the Windy City who watched him lead the team to a 452-249-96 record in 11 years. “I know I had a lot of great days,” Quenneville told NHL.com. of Chicago. “It was always fun walking into the (United Center) and doing your thing. It’s a whole different animal coming in with (the Panthers), but moments are special there, and the people around the building, and the team, the Blackhawks, their staff and players. Certainly great memories.” Florida has won five in a row after rallying in the third period for a 5-4 victory at Minnesota as Noel Acciari deflected in the winning goal with less than 6 seconds remaining.
TIME: 8:30 p.m. ET. TV: FS Florida, NBCS Chicago
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (27-16-5): Defenseman Keith Yandle led the way with his 99th career goal and three assists in Monday’s victory while right wing Evgenii Dadonov scored for the fourth time in five games to increase his team-leading total with 22. Left wing Jonathan Huberdeau was held off the scoresheet, remaining at a team-high 64 points, and captain Aleksander Barkov scored once and set up another to extend his point streak to five games (three goals, five assists). Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 29 shots for his 18th victory Monday and may give the net to rookie Sam Montembeault (4-2-1, .888 save percentage) on Tuesday.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (24-20-6): Patrick Kane leads the way with 62 points, including at least one in 10 straight outings, and joined Hall of Famers Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Denis Savard in the franchise’s 1,000-point club Sunday. Captain Jonathan Toews has also been red hot with four goals and nine assists during a six-game point streak while rookie forward Dominik Kubalik scored again Sunday and has 10 tallies in the past nine contests. Chicago has used both goalies during its streak as Robin Lehner (.924 save percentage) has won three in a row and veteran Corey Crawford came out on top in his past two, stopping 63 of 66 shots.
OVERTIME
1. Florida LW Mike Hoffman owns at least a point in all nine games this month while collecting five goals and six assists.
2. Chicago LW Brandon Saad has scored in each of the last two games after returning from a month absence because of an ankle injury.
3. Panthers F Frank Vatrano boasts two goals and four assists during his four-game point streak.