Blackhawks at Lightning
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks gave up a goal late in regulation, but extended their win streak to three with a 3-2 shootout victory in the first leg of their Florida trip against the Panthers on Thursday. The Hawks now head north for a battle at the well-rested Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. Chicago continues to get solid play from Patrick Kane, who had the winner in the shootout and an assist for his team-leading 12th point. The Lightning have allowed just one goal in winning their last three at home, but are coming off a poor effort in a 4-2 loss at Carolina Tuesday. Tampa Bay beat Chicago both times last season -- one in a shootout.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, CSN (Chicago), SunSports (Tampa).
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (8-2-2): Chicago has won four of its last five despite going 0-for-19 on the power play. The Hawks are 4-for-46 on the season (8.7 percent), second to last in the league. The Hawks have scored 29 goals at even strength. Marian Hossa leads Chicago with six goals. All-Star defenseman Duncan Keith missed the Florida game with a left hand injury and is listed day to day. After Corey Crawford made 41 saves Thursday, Ray Emery (2-0) could get his third start in goal.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (5-5-2): Coach Guy Boucher put the Lightning through a difficult practice Wednesday, trying to improve his team’s compete level after a sloppy game in Carolina. Boucher said the Lightning were also impatient, which caused turnovers. Defenseman Matt Gilroy, signed as a free agent last summer, has found good chemistry with Marc-Andre Bergeron. Bergeron still leads the team with 13 points. Steven Stamkos’ six-game point streak was snapped, but he leads the team with six goals and a plus-5.
OVERTIME:
1. Five of Viktor Stalberg’s 15 goals for Chicago have been game winners.
2. Tampa Bay’s Teddy Purcell has seven points in seven games since he was a healthy scratch.
3. Chicago defenseman Nick Leddy has eight points, one more than his output in 46 games in 2010-11.