Hawks Weekend Forecast

Hawks Preparing for Penguins in Chicago

Crew Preparing the Stadium Series logo at center ice of Soldier Field
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Tonight the Chicago Blackhawks resume their regular season schedule against the New York Rangers after a what seemed to be lengthy two week olympic break. While we got to witness an incredible Olympic show by all of the players representing their country's, it sure does feel good to have the boys back and ready to fight out the second half of the season. 

Returning with several medals, the Chicago Blackhawks team is geared up and ready to get back to playing with their team. With 3 gold medal olympians Toews, Keith, and Sharp, and three silver medalists Hjalmarsson, Oduya, and Kruger, the Hawks players should be able to carry their momentum back into the NHL season. On fire and named the top forward of the Olympics, the Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will be ready to rejoin his teammates and lead his team onto victory. 

As the Hawks begin the second half of the season with a record of 35-11-14, they stand in third place behind both the Blues and the Ducks. While some of the players are still adjusting from the long trip, the Blackhawks may have a slow start but should be able to find their groove against the Rangers. Although the Rangers have been struggling as of late while they stand in the middle of the pack, they should be fired up and ready to take on the Chicago Blackhawks. Following the game against the Rangers, the Hawks will head home to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday in the Stadium Series matchup at Soldier Field. An epic matchup and rivalry, the game on Saturday will definitely be a must watch. Although a cold forecast is predicted, fans throughout Chicago will be able to watch as the two teams battle for victory in the old time outdoor game. As the crews work to prepare the ice, both teams will be excited to take part in this extraordinary event in front of a sold out Bears stadium. 

According to the ESPN Chicago Blackhawks Report by Mike Mazzeo on February 27, 

"Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said he believes the key for his team -- which features 10 Olympians -- will be to put a lot of shots on net. Rangers backup goaltender Cam Talbot, who gets the start Thursday in place of Team Sweden's Henrik Lundqvist, hasn't played in a game since Feb. 6." 

Also, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Peter Regin #2, a center, who will play on the second line with Patrick Kane. In what is to be an experiment by head coach Joel Quenneville, if Regin and Kane work well together, he may find himself a key on the roster.