{coyotes} BLACKHAWKS (20-13-4) AT COYOTES (17-15-3)

Monday, 28 December 2015

{coyotes} BLACKHAWKS (20-13-4) AT COYOTES (17-15-3)

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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

9:00 PM ET

BLACKHAWKS (20-13-4) AT COYOTES (17-15-3)

TV: CSN-CH, FS-A

Season series: The Chicago Blackhawks went 2-0-1 against the Phoenix Coyotes last season, losing 3-2 in a shootout at United Center on Feb. 9. The deciding goal in the shootout was scored by center Antoine Vermette, who was later traded to the Blackhawks and helped them win the Stanley Cup. Vermette scored in the third period of that game as well. Forward Andrew Shaw led Chicago with three goals in the three games.

Blackhawks team scope: Chicago, which has lost its past two games, recalled rookie defenseman Erik Gustafsson from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Monday. The Blackhawks also placed center Marcus Kruger (left wrist fracture) on injured reserve and reportedly placed defenseman David Rundblad on waivers. Coach Joel Quenneville said the plan is to use Gustafsson regularly on the third defense pairing with either Michal Rozsival or Rob Scuderi. "It's a situation more so that we want to get [Gustafsson here], give him a chance to play, and see what happens with David," Quenneville said. Quenneville also shook up his forward lines at practice Monday. Shaw replaced Teuvo Teravainen at left wing on the top line. Teravainen moved to right wing on the third line. Rookie center Phillip Danault was promoted to the third line along with left wing Andrew Desjardins. Left wing Bryan Bickell moved to the fourth line along with rookie center Dennis Rasmussen. Quenneville did not name a starting goalie.

Coyotes team scope: Goalie Anders Lindback will start his second straight game for Arizona after making 38 saves in a 2-1 overtime win at the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Forward Steve Downie (upper body) practiced Monday and is questionable after leaving in the second period against the Avalanche. Centers Martin Hanzal (lower body) and Boyd Gordon (upper body) are out, and are each considered day-to-day. Defenseman Zbynek Michalek (lower body) missed the game against Colorado. Vermette, defenseman Klas Dahlbeck and forward Viktor Tikhonov each have ties to the Blackhawks. Vermette, who has 199 NHL goals, made a good impression on the defending Stanley Cup champions. "He became a special part of the team so quickly," Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. "It was nice for us to get the result we wanted at the end of the year and it sounds like he's doing well back in Phoenix."