Senators at Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators share one thing this season -- both teams are prominent in the conversation for the NHL's biggest disappointments in 2017-18. Each club also is sitting 13 points out of the final playoff spot in their respective conference entering Wednesday's clash between slumping Chicago and the visiting Senators.
The Blackhawks unleashed some of their frustrations by mauling Metropolitan-leading Washington 7-1 on Saturday but followed that up with a listless 3-1 home loss to Los Angeles 48 hours later to fall to 1-8-1 in February. “These last couple of weeks have been maybe as hard as it gets," Chicago forward Patrick Sharp said. "But nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. You’ve got to be a pro and keep fighting through it.” Ottawa ended January on a six-game slide but had won six of nine this month before dropping a 5-2 decision at Nashville on Monday night. The Senators put an end to a seven-game, 15-year drought in the Windy City with a 4-3 victory in December 2016, but they were steamrolled by the Blackhawks 8-2 on Jan. 9.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NHL Network, TVA, Sportsnet (Ottawa), NBCS Chicago
ABOUT THE SENATORS (21-28-9): Forward Ryan Dzingel, who missed the past two games due to personal reasons, returned to practice Tuesday and will be back in the lineup against the Blackhawks. “It’s nice to finally be back and join the guys and get to my normal routine," said Dzingel, who grew up about 30 miles outside Chicago and said he expects to have "100-plus" family and friends in attendance. Mark Stone has six points in five games since returning from injury and scored one goal and set up another versus Chicago on Jan. 9.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (25-27-8): Forward Anthony Duclair, acquired earlier this season from Arizona, has been a healthy scratch for three of the past four games but will be back in the lineup to face the Senators. “Right now, I don’t deserve it as much. That’s why I’m not playing as much," Duclair said of his decreased role. "I don’t think I’ve been consistent enough, and that’s why my ice time has started diminishing. You have to really earn it.” Anton Forsberg is set to make his fourth consecutive start in goal.
OVERTIME
1. Blackhawks F Patrick Kane, who played in his 800th game Monday, collected five points against Ottawa in January.
2. The Senators own the fewest road wins in the league at 7-17-4.
3. Chicago has scored on the power play in seven of the last nine games and scored four times with the extra skater versus Ottawa on Jan. 9.