NHL Odds: Sharks Buy, Hawks Sell Before Thursday Matchup

Have the Chicago Blackhawks (27-28-8) pulled the plug on their playoff hopes? The last-place team in the Central Division was a seller at Monday's NHL trade deadline. The San Jose Sharks (33-21-9), on the other hand, are second in the Pacific, and they've bolstered their lineup ahead of Thursday's matchup with the visiting Hawks, beginning at 10:30 PM ET on WGN and NBCSN. Chicago did quite well at the deadline sending RW Ryan Hartman (eight goals, 17 assists in 53 games) to the Nashville Predators and getting a first-round pick as part of the exchange. The Hawks also shipped RW Tommy Wingels (seven goals, five assists in 57 games) to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round pick, and they waived LW Lance Bouma (three goals, six assists), so depth might be an issue this Thursday.

The Sharks, meanwhile, sent a conditional first-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres as part of the deal for top-line LW Evander Kane (20 goals, 20 assists). It was a small price to pay, but Kane is in a prolonged slump, scoring just five goals and an assist since January 1. He'll also be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

NHL Odds: Kane Joins Sharks to Face Stripped-Down Hawks

The San Jose Sharks (33-21-9) will have a new top line this Thursday when they host the Chicago Blackhawks (27-28-8), starting at 10:30 PM ET on WGN and NBCSN. The Sharks acquired LW Evander Kane from Buffalo before Monday's trade deadline; he's expected to man the first unit alongside center Logan Couture and RW Joe Pavelski. With the playoffs a distant possibility, Chicago was a seller at the trade deadline, sending RW Ryan Hartman to Nashville for a package including a first-round pick. Hartman played on the third line for the Hawks, and led the team in plus-minus at plus-5. The 33-21-9 San Jose Sharks should have an easier time hosting the 27-28-8 Chicago Blackhawks this Thursday (10:30 PM ET, NBCSN). The Sharks acquired LW Evander Kane (20 goals, 20 assists) from Buffalo before Monday's trade deadline, while the Hawks sent RW Ryan Hartman (eight goals, 17 assists) to Nashville. The 33-21-9 San Jose Sharks, with newly-acquired LW Evander Kane in tow, host the 27-28-8 Chicago Blackhawks this Thursday at 10:30 PM ET on NBCSN. While the Sharks were buyers at Monday's deadline, Chicago waved the white flag and sent RW Ryan Hartman to Nashville. The 33-21-9 San Jose Sharks will have LW Evander Kane in the lineup this Thursday (10:30 PM ET, NBCSN) when they host the 27-28-8 Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks acquired Kane from Buffalo before Monday's deadline.

After adding LW Evander Kane at the deadline, the 33-21-9 San Jose Sharks will host the 27-28-8 Chicago Blackhawks this Thursday (10:30 PM ET, NBCSN).