CHICAGO -- Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville just told the media in a pregame briefing he expects South Buffalo native Patrick Kane to play tonight after Kane missed last night's win in Columbus with the flu.
"We're hopeful," Quenneville said. "He skated this morning, kept feeling a little better. Unless something goes the other way here, we're expecting him to come in and be ready."
The Blackhawks certainly have to be wary of the Sabres exacting revenge for the Jason Pominville hit by Niklas Hjalmarsson on Monday night, but Quenneville said that's not his team's focus.
"You have to worry about your own game and play the game in front of you," Quenneville said. "You've got to be smart. Discipline is important going into any game."
Marty Turco will start in goal for Chicago after posting his first win as a Hawk Friday in Columbus. The Sabres are expected to give backup Patrick Lalime his first start of the season. Chicago is 0-2 at home, losing to Detroit and Nashville, but is 2-0-1 on the road.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
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NHL | Sabres | Winter Classic
