Blackhawks at Flames
The return of Patrick Kane was not enough to help the Chicago Blackhawks halt their losing streak last time out, but the superstar hopes to prevent his team from suffering a fifth straight setback when it concludes its three-game road trip Saturday against the Calgary Flames. Kane, who missed one contest due to illness, was on the ice in Edmonton on Thursday as the Blackhawks were blanked 4-0.
Kane's point streak ended at six games with the shutout, which marked just the second time in 13 contests this season the former Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner was kept off the scoresheet. The 29-year-old Kane entered Friday tied for both the league lead in goals (11) and fifth in overall scoring (18 points). Calgary is seeking its fourth consecutive victory after edging Colorado 6-5 at home on Thursday. Captain Mark Giordano led the charge for the Flames, registering a career-high four points (one goal) - including three in the third period as the club overcame a 4-1 deficit with five consecutive goals.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, CBC, Sportsnet, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet360, CITY (Calgary)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (6-5-3): Jonathan Toews has scored only two goals in his last 11 games after registering five in his first three contests. The 30-year-old captain is one tally away from 300 for his career and needs 14 points to hit 700 in the NHL. Henri Jokiharju, a 19-year-old rookie defenseman from Finland who was the 29th overall pick in the 2017 draft, is tied with Kane and fellow blue-liner Duncan Keith for the team lead in assists with seven.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (8-5-1): Elias Lindholm, who has recorded three tallies and two assists during his four-game point streak, has scored a team-leading nine goals in his first 14 games. The output by the 23-year-old Swede is less than only countryman Kent Nilsson (11 with Atlanta in 1979-80) for the most tallies during that span in franchise history. Matthew Tkachuk notched three assists against the Avalanche to pull even for the team lead in points (17) with Johnny Gaudreau, who recorded one to extend his streak to four games.
OVERTIME
1. Four of Lindholm's goals have come on the power play while three have been game-winners.
2. Keith passed Bob Murray for fifth place in franchise history by skating in his 1,009th game on Thursday and is four away from tying Eric Nesterenko for fourth.
3. Calgary LW James Neal scored his third goal of the season on Thursday, leaving him one point shy of 500 for his career.