The "Disney On Ice" Trip has not been kind to the Blackhawks. They did pick up one point by taking last night's game in Dallas to overtime, but the loss to the Stars in a shootout did not sit well with the players after they took a 3-0 first period lead:
"Every time we lose, it's the same thing that happens and we don't change it," captain Jonathan Toews said, "We had a good first period, and we had a good effort, we were doing the right things and somehow it goes away in the second. I don't understand what's going on and the writing's on the wall. We get satisfied and we give teams a chance to come back."
Not only that, but the Hawks lost three players to injury last night -- right wing Fernando Pisani, center Ryan Johnson and left wing Viktor Stalberg. They all suffered what was reported as "upper-body injuries" in the first period and did not return. Their status for tonight is uncertain, as is that of Marian Hossa, who missed last night's game with the flu.
Coach Joel Quenneville's choice to start Marty Turco over Corey Crawford last night in his old home town was a curious one. Was it for sentimental reasons? Turco just hasn't been very good all year. The Hawks also may have lost a pair of goals to video review -- announcer Eddie Olczyk, in particular, seemed incensed that the reviews didn't give the Hawks the goals.
The Hawks trail the Coyotes by four points, needless to say, this game is critical as the Hawks see their playoff hopes fading. The game begins at 7 p.m. CST and will be televised on CSN Chicago.