All aboard the Niemi train CHOO CHOO!! There’s still some space available, but the tickets are going fast! Antti Neimi has been consistent the entire year thus far and he’s earned himself a second consecutive start for the first time this season. He’s got the hot hand and Coach Q is going to give him the nod against a good Vancouver team whom the Hawks beat in last year’s playoffs. His save percentage is a respectable .923. He has started less than half the games Huet has, yet he has just as many shutouts with four. The men between the pipes thrive on confidence and now it’s Niemi’s chance to make the most of his playing time. Huet has been coddled long enough. Coach Q’s decision may take its toll on Huet’s confidence level , but it also just might light a fire under his pads and make this goaltending tandem the last piece of the Stanley Cup puzzle. Niemi all ready has a shutout against the Canucks this year and knowing that he’ll be playing in advance boosts his confidence and gives him a good chance to put up a repeat performance.
The Blackhawks are just 2 points behind the Sharks for most points in the league and are 3-1 on the current road trip. They’ve been road warriors thus far and I’d be content with a 4-3 trip, but my expectations have grown since the beginning of the season and I anticipate at least a 5-2 record upon the completion of the road trip.
Don’t forget to tune in to my radio show as I co-host Cover 3 streaming live Monday evenings 7 to 9 on sportstownchicago.com
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