Panthers at Blackhawks
THE STORY: There is no room for error for either the Florida Panthers or Chicago Blackhawks when they collide Friday in Chicago. Both are fighting for first place in their respective divisions. The Panthers and Washington Capitals are deadlocked atop the Southeast Division with 52 points. The Panthers have less wins, though, which lands them in the hotly contested eighth and final playoff spot. Chicago meanwhile, finds itself in a dogfight with two other teams for the lead in the Central Division. On any given night, it could be the Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings or St. Louis Blues leading the competitive division which also includes the Nashville Predators, who sit only a couple of points behind. This is the second and final meeting this season. Chicago won the first 3-2 in a shootout in Florida. Patrick Kane scored the lone shootout goal and Corey Crawford made 41 saves.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida, CS Chicago
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (21-14-10): Florida, 3-4-3 in its last 10 games, is coming off its second straight overtime loss, 4-3 to the home Colorado Avalanche. Prior to that, they lost at home in a shootout to the Boston Bruins. Marcel Goc, Tomas Kopecky and Stephen Weiss provided the offense against the Avalanche. For Weiss, it was his first goal in 16 games. Jose Theodore, making his first start since missing five games with a lower body injury, made 40 saves. The loss extended the Panthers road winless streak to seven games (0-3-4). Florida is in the midst of a three game road trip where they sport a 10-9-4 record.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (28-13-6): Chicago, 5-3-2 in its last 10 games, is coming off a 6-2 home win over the Buffalo Sabres. Rookies Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Shaw each collected a goal and an assist. Jonathan Toes added two goals, while Marian Hossa and Dave Bolland also scored. Corey Crawford made 25 saves. Shaw has five goals in his first eight NHL games and has scored in four straight. Hayes has four goals and seven points in 10 games. The Blackhawks have won two straight and are 4-0-1 in their last five games, and an impressive 18-5-4 at home.
OVERTIME:
1. Bolland has six goals and three assists in his last six games.
2. Hossa has a goal and six assists during his six-game point streak.