Ducks-Blackhawks: How they match up

December 2nd, 2008, 4:59 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Dan Wood, Staff writer

DUCKS (14-9-3) at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (10-6-6)

5:35 p.m. (PST) Wednesday
Site: United Center, Chicago
TV-Radio: FSN West; KLAA/830

Ducks		Blackhawks
2.81	Goals per game	3.32
2.69	Goals-against avg.	2.7
21.2%	Power play	21.6%
81.6%	Penalty killing	83.3%

OUTLOOK

The Blackhawks are returning home after a six-game road swing that began with victories in Phoenix, Dallas and Toronto, but ended with an overtime loss in San Jose and back-to-back defeats last weekend against the Ducks and Kings. … A day after being blanked by Ducks G Jonas Hiller in a 1-0 loss at Honda Center, Chicago blew a 2-1, second-period lead in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Kings. … Still, Chicago is off to its best start since 2002, the club’s most recent Stanley Cup playoff season. … The Blackhawks are 6-1-4 on home ice. … Chicago expects to be without G Nikolai Khabibulin (groin, hip), D Aaron Johnson (shoulder) and RW Adam Burish (ankle). … RW Patrick Kane leads the Blackhawks with 28 points, including 12 goals. RW Patrick Sharp is the club’s top goal-scorer with 13, and has 22 points. … Chicago has also received big offensive contributions from rookie RW Kris Versteeg (seven goals, 20 points) and its top off-season, free-agent acquisition, D Brian Campbell (four goals, 17 points).