Blue Jackets at Blackhawks
Considering the recent history between the Central Division rivals, the Columbus Blue Jackets have little chance of stopping the Chicago Blackhawks' record-setting start when the clubs meet at the United Center on Sunday. Columbus has lost eight straight games in the all-time series between the teams since posting a 4-3 victory in Chicago on Feb. 18, 2011. It now has the daunting task of trying to hand the Blackhawks their first regulation loss of the season.
Chicago improved to 14-0-3 after posting a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday, setting the record for most games without a regulation loss to start a season. The previous mark of 16 contests was owned by the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks (12-0-4), who went on to win the Stanley Cup. Dating back to the 2011-12 regular season, the Blackhawks have gone 23 consecutive games without a regulation loss (17-0-6).
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Columbus), CSN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (5-11-2): Columbus dropped a 2-1 decision to the Blues in St. Louis on Saturday and fell to 1-4-0 on its six-game road trip. The Blue Jackets return home to face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday before coming back to Chicago for another encounter with the Blackhawks on Friday. Defenseman Jack Johnson exited Saturday's loss in the second period with an upper-body injury and is questionable to face Chicago. With a minus-15 goal differential, Columbus is tied with Buffalo for second-worst in the league. Florida has a league-worst minus-20 mark.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (14-0-3): With Friday's victory, Chicago improved to 4-0-1 on its five-game homestand, which concludes Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. Corey Crawford could get the start against the Blue Jackets. The netminder sat out three contests with an upper-body injury before dressing as Ray Emery's backup versus the Sharks. Left wing Viktor Stalberg has thrived against Columbus, scoring six goals in the last five meetings and notching 12 points in 13 career encounters. Center Dave Bolland may miss Sunday's contest after leaving Friday's victory with a lower-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Chicago's last regulation loss came on March 25, 2012 at home against Nashville.
2. Columbus has allowed 37 goals during its losing streak against Chicago while scoring only 15.
3. The Blackhawks edged the Blue Jackets 3-2 in Columbus on Jan. 26 for their fifth straight victory to start the season, matching the franchise record they would break the following day with a 2-1 triumph over Detroit.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 6, Blue Jackets 2