Flames at Blackhawks
THE STORY: Ray Emery was only expected to provide an occasional breather for starting goaltender Corey Crawford in the Windy City. Instead, Emery has seen steady action as the Chicago Blackhawks have sailed up the ranks of the Western Conference. After winning four in a row to improve to 8-1-1 in their last 10, the Blackhawks will once again turn to Emery for Sunday's game against the Calgary Flames. While thrilled with the results, Emery refused to get ahead of himself. "I don’t take anything for granted,” the 29-year-old Emery said. “You never know how things are going to go. If you expect something and you’re not willing to work for it, you usually don’t get it. So it’s one game at a time. Every time I go in there, I try to do my best." The home folks are certainly appreciative of Emery, who has posted a 5-0-1 mark at the United Center with a stingy 1.49 goals-against average. Chicago has enjoyed considerable success at home, posting a 10-2-3 mark this season. For its part, Calgary is looking to salvage its first win on a four-game road trip (0-2-1).
TV: 7 p.m. ET, RSNC, WGN
ABOUT THE FLAMES (14-14-4): The United Center has been a house of horrors for the Flames, who are 0-9-1 in their last 10 trips to Chicago. Calgary will look to Olli Jokinen to hopefully buck that trend, as the veteran Finn has recorded 11 goals in his past eight contests. G Leland Irving made his NHL debut on Friday and turned aside 39 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers. While Irving will draw future starts with netminder Henrik Karlsson on the shelf, Miikka Kiprusoff is expected to get the nod on Sunday.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (20-8-4): Patrick Sharp has certainly been living a charmed life as of late. Sharp has collected seven goals - including three that have served as game winners - and five assists during his current eight-game point streak. He also notched a season-high three assists in Chicago's 4-1 victory over the Flames on Nov. 11. Off the ice, Sharp welcomed the birth of his baby daughter on Dec. 9.
OVERTIME:
1. Calgary's beleaguered power play continues to take baby steps. It has scored in six of the team's last eight games, with eight goals in 32 chances. The Flames have converted 16.1 percent of their chances this season.
2. Blackhawks RW Marian Hossa has been enjoyed a spring in his step lately, recording three goals and five assists during his current four-game point streak.
3. Chicago has killed off its last 18 shorthanded situations.