Jackets Head to Chicago

Chicago is back, and they've got the city buzzing. The pyrotechnic-like play of rookies Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have the Windy City back on the 'Hawks wagon. And it's about time, too. I've long felt that Chicago has some of the most passionate fans in the league, and it's a shame they don't have a TV contract to spread the fanbase further--not to mention their ticket prices are ridiculous, to boot.

The focus tonight will be on the rookie litter on both sides of the ice. Although Kris Russell and Jared Boll aren't stealing the national spotlight ala Toews and Kane, these are two solid players who are intelligent beyond their 20 years. They both are well aware of their role on the ice, and have done well so far.

Nikolai Khabibulin makes his seventh start of the year tonight for Chicago, and Fredrik Norrena will get his third crack between the pipes for the Jackets.

To get Freddy-No his first win tonight, the Jacket forwards have to get more pucks in the net. They have scored average of 2.0 goals per game for Norrena, the same trend that began last year when he started.

Columbus is dead last in the NHL with six even-strength goals on the year. Ouch.

The hope is that Sunday's embarrassment will serve a good purpose toward getting the Jackets focused on their game plan tonight. Look for them to finish their checks more consistently tonight, and perhaps the game won't be decided by the power play. The unit is 3 for its last 29.

Lines for tonight's game:

Nash-Peca-Zherdev

Glencross-Fedorov-Vyborny

Chimera-Malhotra-Boll

Fritsche-Novotny-Brule

Foote-Hejda

Klesla-Hainsey

Russell-Tollefsen

Norrena