Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks’ penultimate game of the season should be of no consequence to them. They have everything they could get at this point in the season: playoff spot, top seed, division title, President’s Trophy. Aside from the Stanley Cup itself, there’s nothing else to do but sit back and cruise into the playoffs. But the Blackhawks won’t do that.
Their opponent on Friday is the Calgary Flames, who have been out of playoff contention for quite a while and are just trying to grab a bit of dignity in their last game of the season. This could also be the last game Miikka Kiprusoff plays not just for the Flames, but in the NHL in general. He decided not to be traded at the beginning of the month, which has led many to speculate that he was preparing to retire in the offseason.
The Blackhawks have been taking this season one game at a time, never focusing solely on the playoffs but knowing they have to be ready. Right now, they’re two men down, with Dave Bolland and Ray Emery both sitting out with lower-body injuries. But they have Patrick Sharp back, and Patrick Kane has scored eight points in his last five games. They also have a power play that still isn’t at the top of the league, but it’s slowly doing better.
We may see some unfamiliar faces on the ice for both teams. The Flames have called up quite a few new players to give them a glimpse of their futures while scoping out who could fit into their plans for rebuilding the team. Meanwhile, with Emery out, the Blackhawks will have Rockford call up Carter Hutton as the backup for Corey Crawford.
The Flames want to end the season with a win. The Blackhawks want added momentum going into the postseason. While the game may seem inconsequential, it’s important to each team, and that’s what matters.
