Blackhawks at Flames
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks attempt to end a six-game road losing streak when they face off against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday. Chicago had no answers for Sam Gagner on Thursday as the Edmonton center tied a franchise record with eight points in the Oilers' 8-4 victory. The Blackhawks, who have lost four straight overall, fell to 0-1-1 on their franchise high-tying nine-game road trip. Calgary, which has dropped three in a row at home following an eight-game winning streak at the Saddledome, is wrapping up a three-game homestand. The Flames have scored a total of one goal in losing the first two contests.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (29-16-7): Chicago was outscored 17-6 in its two losses at Rexall Place this season. Patrick Sharp provided half of the team's offense in Thursday's defeat, scoring a pair of goals in his second game back from a wrist injury that sidelined him for eight contests. Andrew Brunette, who has scored just nine times in 53 matches this season, left Thursday's setback with an upper-body injury. Corey Crawford was pulled after allowing five goals on 28 shots. The goaltender has surrendered 14 tallies while going 0-3-1 in his last four starts.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (23-22-6): Miikka Kiprusoff is about to set the franchise record for games played by a goaltender. Kiprusoff is tied with Mike Vernon with 526 contests in a Flames uniform. Already the franchise leader in victories, the Finn is two wins away from 300 for his career. Lee Stempniak is questionable with a lower-body injury suffered in Tuesday's loss to Detroit. The Flames added a center Wednesday when they signed Krys Kolanos to a two-year contract. The Calgary native has spent time with Phoenix, Edmonton and Minnesota. Kolanos has registered 20 goals and 21 assists in 136 career contests.
OVERTIME:
1. Recent history favors the Flames as the home team has won each of the last eight games in the all-time series.
2. Chicago has captured 20 of the last 28 meetings between the clubs.