Oilers at Blackhawks
THE STORY: The Edmonton Oilers try to register the first win of their season-high seven-game road trip against the league's top team as they take on the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on Monday. Edmonton has dropped the first three games of its trek, extending its losing streak on the road to seven. The Oilers have won only 19 of their last 84 contests away from home. Overall, they have won just two of their last 11 matches. Awaiting them are the Blackhawks, who have won three of the first four during their five-game homestand and have earned at least one point in eight of nine in the Windy City (7-1-1). Chicago posted a 10-2-1 record in December and enters the new year two points ahead of both the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers in the overall standings.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet West (Edmonton), CSN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE OILERS (15-19-3): Devan Dubnyk has not won in a month, going 0-4-0 in five appearances since defeating Columbus on Dec. 2. Dubnyk is 4-9-0 in 13 starts and two relief stints this season. Left wing Ryan Jones may not be in the lineup after being hit on the ankle by a puck in Saturday's loss to the New York Islanders. Jones, who is six goals shy of tying his career high of 18 set last season, was helped off the ice and is slated to be evaluated before Monday's contest.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (24-10-4): Marian Hossa has been on fire, collecting eight goals and nine assists over his last 10 games. Hossa is seventh in the league in scoring with 41 points, five behind leader Henrik Sedin of Vancouver. Center Marcus Kruger will miss his third consecutive game and defenseman Steve Montador is questionable. Both are dealing with upper-body injuries. Left wing Dan Carcillo returned to the lineup in Friday's 3-2 win over Detroit after missing six contests with a concussion.
OVERTIME:
1. The Blackhawks have won 10 of the last 14 games in the all-time series.
2. The clubs split their first two meetings, with each flashing their offensive skills. Chicago posted a 6-3 triumph at home on Nov. 13, while the Oilers recorded a 9-2 drubbing in Edmonton six days later.