Blackhawks vs. Coyotes Game 1 Preview

Probable Lines

Blackhawks

Kane-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Krüger-Stalberg
Bickell-Bolland-Shaw
Brunette-Mayers-Bollig

Keith-Seabrook
Leddy-Oduya
Hjalmarsson-O’Donnel

Crawford

Coyotes

Whitney-Hanzal-Vrbata
Boedker-Vermette-Doan
Torres-Langkow-Brule
Korpikoski-Gordon-Pyatt

Yandle-Morris
Ekman-Larsson-Aucoin
Klesla-Rozsival

Smith

– – – – – – – – – – –

Penalty Kill

Blackhawks-27th

Coyotes-8th

Powerplay

Blackhawks-26th

Coyotes-29th

The Blackhawks should get Jonathan Toews back after missing over 20 games. In my series prediction I have the Blackhawks winning tonight’s game 6-1. I still stand by that. The Blackhawks obviously have a lot more experience than the Coyotes in the playoffs. That should give them the edge in game 1 and ultimately the series.

2012 Season Outlook: Cubs

Offseason Additions

David DeJesus: 2 years, $1o million

Paul Maholm: 1 year, $4.75 million

Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood, and Reed Johnson retained

Acquired Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers from Rockies

Acquired Travis Wood, Dave Sappelt, and Ronald Torreyes from Reds

Acquired Chris Volstad from Marlins

Acquired Anthony Rizzo and Zach Cates from Padres

Acquired Theo Epstein From Red Sox

Offseason Subtractions

Aramis Ramirez – Brewers

Carlos Pena – Rays

Koyie Hill – Unsigned

Tyler Colvin – Rockies

Sean Marshall – Reds

Carlos Zambrano – Marlins

The Cubs will look to continue rebuilding with top prospects and Theo Epstein in 2012

The Cubs don’t have very high expectations for the 2012 season, but young players will develop and the North-Siders could become a threat to win the NL Central in the next few years. Cubs fans should be excited about Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. Jim Hendry obviously wasn’t doing a very good job as the Cubs GM. A few months after Hoyer was named the new GM of the Cubs, he acquired Anthony Rizzo from the Padres. Most people would view the trade as a steal for the Cubs, even though they gave up Andrew Cashner. This actually wasn’t the first time Hoyer traded for Rizzo. Rizzo was sent to the Padres in the Adrian Gonzalez deal with the Red Sox. Anthony Rizzo should see playing time this year, along with fellow prospect Brett Jackson.

Key Players

Alfonso Soriano

Anthony Rizzo

Jeff Samrdzija

Starlin Castro

Predicted Record: 76-86