Blackhawks likely switching defensive pairings against Canadiens

MONTREAL – The Blackhawks will have their usual top-six defensemen tonight but the pairings won't be the same when they face the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.

Coach Joel Quenneville was commenting on Brent Seabrook's higher minutes when he added, "we’re going to change the D pairs a little tonight, see how that works out."

The personnel from Sunday shouldn’t change but Quenneville wouldn't divulge the switches.

As for the Canadiens, they have a few familiar faces in Andrew Shaw and Phillip Danault. Danault, who was part of the deal that brought Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise to Chicago last spring, has been having a solid season (10 goals, 22 assists) with the Canadiens.

"Good for him. He's really progressed in the year," Quenneville said of Danault. "He's getting opportunity to play more of an offensive situation. But you like the way he competes, you like the way he works and he added a little offense to his game, as well. You root for a guy like him. He's one of those guys that gives you more than an honest effort every single day. Good progression for him."

Corey Crawford will get the nod in his hometown. In his four NHL games at Bell Centre, Crawford is 2-0-2 with a 1.24 goals against average and .965 save percentage.

BLACKHAWKS AT MONTREAL CANADIENS