Blackhawks at Senators
The Christmas break has done wonders for Nick Schmaltz, who returned from the time off with eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last six games. The 21-year-old carries a three-game goal-scoring streak into Tuesday's contest as the Chicago Blackhawks aim to escape the cellar in the Central Division when they visit the Ottawa Senators.
"We've had some games where we want to be and then some nights where we're way off," Schmaltz said on the heels of Sunday's 4-1 victory over Edmonton. Captain Jonathan Toews, who has three goals and four assists during last four games, has meshed well with linemates Brandon Saad and recent recall Vinnie Hinostroza - with the latter collecting two goals and five assists during his five-game point streak. Like Schmaltz, Ottawa's Ryan Dzingel is also riding a three-game goal-scoring streak, with two tallies highlighting the team's 6-3 triumph over Tampa Bay on Saturday. The 25-year-old Illinois native's recent offensive eruption comes on the heels of a 10-game drought without a goal.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, TSN5, RDS (Ottawa)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (20-15-6): Chicago recalled Tomas Jurco from Rockford and assigned fellow forward John Hayden to the American Hockey League affiliate. Jurco has 13 goals and 12 assists with the IceHogs in 2017-18 but has underwhelmed in parts of five seasons with Detroit and the Blackhawks, with whom the 25-year-old Jurco had just one goal for his lone point in 13 games last season after being acquired for a third-round draft pick in February. Hayden, who has three goals and eight assists in 39 games this season, will be making his first trek to the minors after signing with Chicago following his senior season at Yale.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (14-17-9): Ottawa has answered a disastrous 3-8-3 mark with consecutive six-goal uprisings to win back-to-back contests for the first time since Dec. 13-16. "We're starting to come. It shows character and the ability to stick together as a team," said Mark Stone, who recorded one goal and two assists in each outing to increase his team-leading totals in both goals (17) and points (40). Captain Erik Karlsson, who has a club-best 27 assists, has set up seven goals in his last five outings.
OVERTIME
1. Blackhawks promising D Jordan Oesterle has three goals in his last five games.
2. Ottawa G Craig Anderson has made 108 saves over his last three outings (2-0-1).
3. Blackhawks D Cody Franson was placed on waivers Monday after recording one goal and six assists in 23 games this season while averaging under 15 minutes of ice time in four of his last five outings.