TEAM COMPARISONS
What more can be said about Martin St-Louis’ group right now? The Canadiens are playing mature, connected hockey, and the results speak for themselves: three straight wins, a 9-5-0 record since the start of December, and a stretch that has seen the gap for the final wildcard spot shrink from eight points to just three. With a little more than half the season still left to play, the Habs will look to tighten the gap even more by securing another two points Friday in Chicago.
2024-25 has not been kind to the Blackhawks. Chicago sits in the basement of the NHL’s standings, but that was mostly to be expected for a Hawks team still in the early stages of a rebuild. One area where the Original Six club are succeeding is on special teams. Anders Sorensens’ team ranks fourth on the penalty kill and 12th on the power play, but on most nights, it hasn’t been enough. Currently mired in a five-game losing streak, the Blackhawks will be keen to turn things around in front of their fans, especially after, in Connor Bedard’s words, “laying an egg” in a 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues at the Winter Classic on New Year’s Eve.
SEASON SERIES
Jan. 3 @ CHI:
Apr. 14 vs. CHI:
PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR
Naturally, the spotlight falls on the Dach brothers.
Colton is expected to make his NHL debut on Friday. The 21-year-old (turning 22 tomorrow!), who participated in line rushes at Blackhawks practice on Thursday, has posted an impressive 25 points in 30 games with the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League this year. Meanwhile. Kirby is hitting his stride for the Habs with three goals in his last three games, including the decisive tally in Montreal’s 3-2 comeback win over Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Tonight, big bro will look to crash little bro’s debut party in true sibling fashion.
BY THE NUMBERS: HABS-HAWKS
Here’s how the Canadiens and Blackhawks match up by the numbers:
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