Between the pipes, the Blackhawks have run into a bit of an injury issue. Corey Crawford is back from his concussion, but just a few games into his return Cam Ward is now out with a knee injury for a week or so. That means Collin Delia has been recalled from Rockford on emergency basis.
Crawford has started 25 games this season and is 7-15-2 with a .897 save percentage and 3.39 GAA. Delia is 6-4-3 this season with a 3.48 GAA and .909 SV%.
The Sabres have also fallen in each of their last two games and are coming off a 4-3 setback to Edmonton on Monday night. Buffalo's game in Chicago is their first of two on this road trip, which wraps up in Denver on Saturday.
Jack Eichel is first on the team in scoring with 72 points (25G, 47A), although Jeff Skinner is far and away the clubhouse leader in goals with 36. Skinner has a total of 58 points this season, which ties Sam Reinhart for second on the team.
In net, Carter Hutton has a 2.82 GAA and .911 SV% to go along with his 16-18-4 record. Linus Ullmark is 14-10-4 with a 3.13 GAA and .907 SV%.
SEASON SERIES:
This is the second of two meetings this season between the clubs. Chicago cruised to a 7-3 victory in Buffalo back on Dec. 1. Drake Caggiula, Kane and Duncan Keith got the Blackhawks out to a 3-0 lead early in the second. Buffalo managed to make it a 4-3 game midway through the third but goals from Connor Murphy, Kane and Brandon Saad propelled the visitors to victory.
LINEUP NOTES:
David Kampf makes his return from a right foot injury tonight, replacing Dylan Sikura in the lineup. Kampf has not played since Feb. 5. Cam Ward is out with a knee issue, while Drake Caggiula is also on the mend from a concussion.
OPPONENT TO WATCH:
Acquired via trade from Carolina by the Sabres in 2018, Skinner has give his new team a huge return on investment. He's just one tally shy of a career high in goals (37 in 2016-17). The 2010 first-round pick is just 26 years-old and will likely continue to produce for some time. He hasn't scored a goal since Feb. 15, however, so he's due to strike again.
Skinner is a pending UFA but Buffalo will be looking to re-sign their dynamic offensive weapon before he hits the market.
