Blackhawks at Senators
THE STORY: The Ottawa Senators have certainly righted the ship after a disastrous seven-game skid threatened their postseason aspirations. The Senators will vie for their seventh win in eight contests on Friday when they host the Chicago Blackhawks. Coach Joel Quenneville's charges have spiraled out of control when they leave Chicago's city limits. The Blackhawks have dropped 13 of their last 15 away from the Windy City.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN, CSCH
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (34-24-7): Marian Hossa tallied twice to help Chicago end its three-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Lost in the result was Corey Crawford's second early evening after he yielded three goals on 10 shots in the first period. Former Senators netminder Ray Emery is expected to get the start on Friday. Emery defeated his former club in his lone opportunity.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (34-23-8): All-Star D Erik Karlsson secured the NHL's Second Star of February after amassing seven goals and 11 assists during his current eight-game point streak. The 21-year-old blue-liner collected three game-winning goals during the month. Speaking of positives, G Robin Lehner recorded his first career NHL shutout by turning aside 32 shots against the Boston Bruins. Ottawa will continue to look to Lehner, who will make his third straight start in place of injured netminder Craig Anderson (finger).
OVERTIME:
1. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews did not travel with the team on its current three-game road trip. Toews has been sidelined for five games with what is being termed an upper body injury. The Blackhawks have won two of the five without Toews.
2. All-Star Jason Spezza is riding a 10-game point streak. He has yet to score a goal in four career games versus the Blackhawks.