Flames at Blackhawks
THE STORY: A date with the Columbus Blue Jackets was just what the Chicago Blackhawks needed to dig themselves out of a recent funk. They'll look to keep the good vibes flowing Friday night as they welcome the Calgary Flames to the United Center. The Blackhawks had dropped three straight before waltzing into Ohio and departing with a convincing 6-3 triumph over the league-worst Blue Jackets. Even the team's moribund power-play sparked to life, scoring twice in the club's highest-scoring effort of the year. Calgary arrives in the Windy City having been silenced in a 3-0 defeat to the Minnesota Wild three nights earlier. The Flames are in the midst of playing five road games in a six-game stretch, with the Wild loss their only home date during that span. Offense has been a problem, with the club scoring just three times in its past three outings. Add the fact that Calgary has lost its last nine games in Chicago, and Friday could be a long one for the Flames.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet West, Comcast SportsNet Chicago
ABOUT THE FLAMES (6-7-1): Of all the teams Miikka Kiprusoff has faced in the National Hockey League, the Blackhawks give him the most problems. Kiprusoff, who has 100 more wins than regulation losses in his career, is just 10-11-1-4 versus Chicago. His 3.03 goals-against average against the Blackhawks is more than half a goal higher than the mark for his career, and his .899 save percentage is well below his career total of .913.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (9-4-3): Chicago entered Thursday's action just 5-for-57 with the man advantage, but broke out in emphatic fashion against the woeful Blue Jackets. Andrew Brunette and Steve Montador had the power-play goals for the Blackhawks, who peppered Columbus goaltender Steve Mason with 36 shots in the triumph. Calgary ranks 19th on the penalty kill with an 81.5-percent success rate.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams split four meetings last season, with the home team prevailing each time. Prior to 2010-11, Chicago had won six consecutive head-to-head encounters.
2. The Flames have done a good job of shutting down Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa, limiting him to just three goals and eight assists in 19 career games.
3. Flames forward Rene Bourque has run ice-cold. After scoring three goals in his first three games, the 30-year-old has tallied just twice in his last 11 contests - with both goals coming in a 4-2 win over Colorado on Oct. 26.