Blackhawks at Devils
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks attempt to extend their
winning streak against the Eastern Conference when they visit the New
Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Chicago, which has won four of five on the
road, has captured seven straight meetings with teams from the East.
Both clubs are sixth in their respective conferences, with New Jersey
only two points ahead of Ottawa. The Devils have lost four of five
overall and two straight at home.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CS Chicago (Blackhawks), MSG Plus (Devils)
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (42-26-8):
Chicago had its seven-game point streak (6-0-1) snapped Sunday against
Nashville. The Blackhawks played without captain Jonathan Toews, who
missed his 16th consecutive game with a concussion, and defenseman
Duncan Keith, who began serving his five-game suspension for elbowing
Vancouver's Daniel Sedin on Wednesday. The former Norris Trophy winner
refused to criticize the league's ruling. "I'm not going to sit here and
question things or wonder how they came to their decision," he said. "I
respect what they decided was fair, and I'll serve my time." Defenseman
Steve Montador, who has sat out 22 games with a concussion, has been
cleared for contact.
ABOUT THE DEVILS (42-28-6): New Jersey is looking to get its offense
untracked as it has scored three goals or less in each of its last
seven games. Defenseman Anton Volchenkov missed Sunday's loss at
Pittsburgh with a lower-body injury. He did not practice Monday and is
unlikely to play against Chicago. "He's feeling better, but not ready to
skate yet," coach Peter DeBoer said. Blueliner Peter Harrold was
recalled from Albany of the AHL on Monday. Harrold appeared in five
games for the Devils earlier this season, posting a minus-1 rating.
OVERTIME:
1. Chicago has lost seven of its last eight visits
to New Jersey and is 3-11-1 in the last 15 overall matchups between the
clubs.
2. The Devils have earned at least one point in nine of their last 10 meetings with the Blackhawks (6-1-3).