MTL@CHI: What you need to know

TEAM COMPARISON

What more can we say about Martin St-Louis’ group at the moment? The Canadiens play mature, connected hockey, and the results speak for themselves: three straight wins, a 9-5-0 record since the start of December, and a streak that saw the gap last wildcard spot move up by eight points.

just three. With a little more than half of the season to play, the Habs will try to close the gap even further by obtaining two more points Friday in Chicago.

The 2024-25 season has not been kind to the Blackhawks. Chicago is in the basement of the NHL standings, but that’s mostly normal for a Hawks team still in the early stages of its rebuild. One area where the Original Six club succeeds is on special teams.

Anders Sorensens’ team ranks fourth shorthanded and 12th on the power play, but most nights it wasn’t enough. Currently mired in a five-game losing streak, the Blackhawks will be keen to turn things around in front of their fans, especially after, in the words of Connor Bédard, having “laid an egg” in a 6-2 loss against the Blues. St.Louis. at the Winter Classic on New Year’s Eve.

SEASON SERIES

April 14 against CHI:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Naturally, the spotlight turns to the Dach brothers.

Colton is expected to make his NHL debut on Friday. The 21-year-old (turning 22 tomorrow!), who participated in the line drives at Blackhawks practice on Thursday, posted an impressive 25 points in 30 games with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. hockey this year.

In the meantime. Kirby is hitting his stride with the Habs with three goals in his last three games, including the decisive goal in Montreal’s 3-2 win over Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Tonight, Big Brother will look to host the first little brother party like a real brother.

IN NUMBERS: HABS-HAWKS

Here’s how the Canadiens and Blackhawks compare in numbers: