I wanted to let all my readers know that starting Monday April 13th I will be writing for a new website called ESPN Chicago.com. It is very exciting to be covering the Blackhawks for ESPN the leading sports network in the United States. I will be writing opinions on the Hawks as usual but will be doing so at a website geared toward Chicago sports.

I will still be posting at HB through Friday and then look forward to hearing from many of you at the new ESPN site which starts up on Monday.

Interesting night shaping up around the NHL and the Hawks are in the middle of the suspense.

Calgary and Vancouver square off tonight and if the Canucks lose in regulation and the Hawks gain two points in Nashville, Chicago will lock up the 4th seed for the Playoffs.

The Flames can clinch the Northwest Division if they can claim two points in Vancouver this evening. If that happens coupled with a Hawk victory much of the suspense will be over concerning the top five seeds in the Western Conference.

It will be a big challenge for Calgary as they played last night. The Flames are only 2-9-1 in the second half of back to back games this season.

It would still be possible, but not very likely for the Hawks to face Columbus in the first round of the Playoffs. The Jackets currently trail the Canucks by four points with three games remaining for each.

The Hawks are very much in control of their destiny as they still have a game in hand on Calgary and Vancouver. Calgary has the advantage of being ahead of both the Canucks and the Hawks in total wins as that is the first tie breaker used to determine Playoff position.

The bottom line that may still remain after tonight’s results are apparent is the Hawks can finish this season with over 100 points and the Canucks can not. With four games left the Hawks need to gain four points to get to a 101 point total for this season.

Tonight the Hawks will be challenged by a determined Nashville team which will have one of its top players back from injury. Jason Arnott returned to action on Saturday after missing 11 games with a concussion.

The Preds are still in a dog fight with the Ducks and Blues for the 7th and 8th seeds in Western Conference. Nashville and St. Louis have both played 79 games and although they are tied with 86 points the Preds have one additional victory.

Nashville has recently been successful at playing Playoff type hockey.

Ten of their last 13 games have been decided by one goal and the Preds are 5-1-4 in those contests. They have also scored at least one power play goal in their last five home games. The Predators have the second best win percentage in the NHL when leading after the opening period, an impressive stat to say the least. Nashville also recently set a season team high in hits with 39, accomplished in their Saturday night victory over Columbus.

The Hawks will have to be ready for a physical affair and also keep their discipline versus the Predators. Chicago will need to win the special team battles and will have to be strong along the boards. A good start would be very helpful for the Hawks plus a needed resurgence of their struggling power play could be difference for tonight.

The Predators Pekka Rinne and Nikolai Khabibulin will square off once again in what could turn out to be a fierce goal tending battle.

The Hawks have to be ready from the opening puck drop as they will have no Playoff worries as long as they tend to their own business.


Al’s Shots

Although I am not now certain he will play, Brouwer was scheduled to return to action tonight.

Sharp will take another night off due to his knee injury.

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