Blackhawks at Blues
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks may have finally found their stride away from the United Center. After posting two road victories during its current three-game winning streak, Chicago will test its mettle Tuesday by visiting the St. Louis Blues. The Blues share the Central Division lead with the Detroit Red Wings and sit 10 points ahead of the Blackhawks.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CS Chicago (Blackhawks), FS Midwest (Blues)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (36-24-7): Selected as the NHL's Third Star of the Week, Ray Emery has fueled Chicago's recent charge. Emery has yielded one goal in each of the last three contests - and has stopped 83 of 87 shots to win all three career starts versus the Blues. Patrick Kane scored for the third time in four games to snap a tie late in the second period in the Blackhawks' 2-1 victory over Detroit on Sunday. Kane has three assists in as many contests versus the Blues this season.
ABOUT THE BLUES (41-18-7): While St. Louis has enjoyed considerable success at home this season, coach Ken Hitchcock's club bolstered its confidence during its six-game road trip. The Blues finished the trip by collecting 10 of 12 points (5-1-0), capped by a 3-1 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. St. Louis killed off all 12 shorthanded situations during the trip to extend its run to 27 straight without surrendering a power-play goal. After its current three-game homestand, St. Louis hits the road for seven straight contests.
OVERTIME:
1. While Chicago captain Jonathan Toews has already been ruled out for his eighth straight game with concussion-like symptoms, defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (concussion) might be able to return Tuesday. Hjalmarsson has missed five consecutive contests.
2. St. Louis goaltender Jaroslav Halak won all five games on the road trip - and is 2-0-1 versus the Blackhawks in his career. Halak stopped all 29 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory over Chicago on Nov. 8.