Rangers at Blackhawks
THE STORY: The New York Rangers look to avoid their first three-game losing streak since the beginning of the season when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. New York, which has begun its three-game road trip with consecutive 4-1 losses, has not dropped three straight since opening the campaign with a 0-1-2 record. The Rangers, who are two points behind St. Louis in the race for the Presidents' Trophy, have lost three in a row and five of six away from home. Chicago has won three of four and eight of 10 on home ice. The Blackhawks trail Nashville by six points for fifth in the Western Conference.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (Rangers), CS Chicago (Blackhawks)
ABOUT THE RANGERS (42-17-7): Henrik Lundqvist arguably is the favorite to win his first Vezina Trophy. The All-Star leads the NHL in both shutouts (eight) and save percentage (.937), is second with a 1.84 goals-against average and ranks fourth with 31 victories. Lundqvist has been nothing but trouble for Chicago over his career as he is 4-0-2 with a 1.80 GAA against the Blackhawks. Brandon Dubinsky missed Thursday's loss at Ottawa with nose and hand injuries as a result of a fight with New Jersey's Ryan Carter on Tuesday. Dubinsky, who said he was having trouble breathing, is questionable to play Friday.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (36-25-7): Jonathan Toews will miss his ninth consecutive game reportedly with a concussion, but the captain showed significant progress Thursday as he skated on his own prior to Chicago's practice. "He had a good skate today," coach Joel Quenneville said. "It was very exciting for us to see him back out there. He's encouraged as well, so it was a really good day." Toews has not played since Feb. 19 against St. Louis. Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is even closer to returning from a concussion that has sidelined him for 13 of Chicago's last 14 contests. The Blackhawks announced right wing Ben Smith will undergo surgery next week to repair a hernia and a labral tear in his right hip. He is expected to need 16 weeks to recover.
OVERTIME:
1. Chicago goaltender Ray Emery has been sensational at home, going 9-0-1 with a 1.55 GAA.
2. The Rangers have won four of their last six meetings with the Blackhawks, but Chicago has captured five straight against Eastern Conference opponents.