With Anaheim close, Hawks need this game

There are big games, and then there is tonight’s clash between the Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks at the United Center.

The Hawks are seventh in the Western Conference with 88 points and lead ninth-place Anaheim by 1 in the standings.

“Looking back we’ve had some big games and said our next game is going to be our biggest one, but this truly is,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville. “If you look at the remaining games we have this is basically our last game with a team that is fighting for the same space we are.

“It puts whoever wins in a pretty good spot. Watching games every night lately, teams are gathering points left and right so you have to take care of your own business.”

Quenneville emphasized the importance of the game when he gathered the team on the ice after Friday’s practice.

“It’s a really important game – Saturday night in Chicago and the place is going to be rocking,” Patrick Kane said. “It’s fun to play in a game that really means a lot, and I’m sure we’ll be ready to go.”

The Hawks must shut down Anaheim’s big line of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan, which is easier said than done. The trio has combined for 212 points — 5 more than the line of Jonathan Toews, Kane and Patrick Sharp.

Perry has been a monster with his 42 goals second in the league behind Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos.

Hawks defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook will be on the ice whenever the Getzlaf line is out there.

“That line plays a lot,” Quenneville said. “So matching up against them, I think everybody is going to see them. We expect at least three lines to see them. In a 60-minute game they’re playing 25 minutes, and that’s a lot of ice time for forwards. They’re dangerous and a handful to handle.”

Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller is a doubtful starter. Hiller returned Thursday at Nashville after a 15-game stint on injured reserve because of vertigo but was shaky and pulled in the 5-4 loss to the Predators. Ray Emery is expected to start in goal.

Take two:Rookie center Marcus Kruger said he learned a lot in his NHL debut on Wednesday when he played 12-minutes in his first game since joining the Hawks from Sweden.#147;We won the game and that#146;s the most important thing,#148; Kruger said. #147;It#146;s different from back home, but I did my best and the guys helped me. It#146;s more north-south hockey and you have to be aware all the time. It#146;s quicker and you have to take the puck to the right places.#148;Joel Quenneville can see Kruger getting more minutes as he becomes comfortable with his new surroundings.#147;There#146;s an upside in his game we can use to our advantage and he can compliment our team game, and that#146;s his awareness how he plays without the puck,#148; Quenneville said. #147;I think defensively you can put him in all situations and offensively he had some numbers quietly.#147;I thought he was exactly where we wanted him to be positionally, and offensively he#146;ll only get more comfortable with the puck as he goes along and practices with his linemates and get familiar with our system.#148;