Blackhawks at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks are rounding into form with the playoffs on the horizon. The Blackhawks are 7-1-1 since the All-Star break and Corey Crawford has allowed just three goals in as many games. Chicago will try to keep it going by completing a six-game sweep of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets have won five of nine in March, allowing just 19 goals.
TV: 7 p.m.; CSN-CH (Chicago), FS-OH (Columbus).
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (40-25-8): Chicago has gotten its game together while captain Jonathan Toews recovers from an upper-body injury. Toews, who has missed 13 straight games, resumed skating but is not cleared for contact. Patrick Kane has raised his game in Toews absence, notching 10 points in as many games. Marian Hossa has recorded 12 points in 10 games, giving him 71 on the season – one point shy of his best output since 2006-07. Rookie forward Andrew Shaw recorded two goals and three points for the first time in his career in the 5-2 victory over Washington Sunday.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (23-42-7): Steve Mason has turned around his season, sporting five victories in his last six decisions with a .947 save percentage. Mason looks like he will get a chance to extend that string after Curtis Sanford went down with a lower-body injury in the 2-1 shootout win over Calgary on Sunday. Mason stopped 28 of 29 shots in relief and was 4 for 4 in the shootout. Captain Rick Nash has gone seven games without a point, but still leads the team with 47. Nash has two assists and is minus-10 in five games against Chicago this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Chicago’s Viktor Stalberg has scored eight of his career-high 18 goals against Columbus this season.
2. Columbus defenseman Nikita Nikitin has five goals and 23 points in 44 games since being acquired from St. Louis.
3. The Blackhawks are just 1 for 19 on the power play in the last six games.