One night after extending their record season-opening point streak to 20 games, the Chicago Blackhawks attempt to continue the run Friday, when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second time in six days. Chicago blanked the Blues 3-0 in St. Louis on Thursday, marking the 26th consecutive game in which it has registered at least one point dating back to the 2011-12 regular season. It is the third-longest streak in NHL history behind the 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers' 35-game run and a 28-game stretch by the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens.
Chicago's triumph on Thursday came at a price as Corey Crawford left after one period with an upper-body injury. Ray Emery came on to make 15 saves and preserve the Blackhawks' third shutout of the season. Crawford recorded a 1-0 victory at home on Sunday against Columbus, which enters with a three-game overall winless streak (0-2-1) and a nine-game slide (0-8-1) against Chicago. The Blue Jackets battled back from four deficits Tuesday but were unable to grab a lead and fell 5-4 in overtime to the Dallas Stars.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, FSN Ohio (Columbus), CSN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (5-12-3): Columbus trailed 3-2 after two periods and fell behind again after tying the game early in the third, but R.J. Umberger scored with 1:34 remaining to earn the club a point. The Blue Jackets couldn't come all the way back, however, as Loui Eriksson tallied 3:03 into overtime to give Dallas the win. Center Artem Anisimov could return to the lineup after missing three games with a head injury. But defensemen James Wisniewski (foot) and Jack Johnson (upper body) and forwards Brandon Dubinsky (knee) and Derick Brassard (upper body) remain sidelined.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (17-0-3): Emery is expected to get the start in goal Friday as Crawford is listed as day-to-day. Crawford, who leads the league with a 1.46 goals-against average, was making just his second start since recovering from an upper-body injury that coach Joel Quenneville claims is unrelated to his current ailment. Emery is 8-0-0 thus far this season. Center Dave Bolland missed his third straight game Thursday with an upper-body injury. In addition to Sunday's victory, the Blackhawks posted a 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Jan. 26.
OVERTIME
1. The Blue Jackets are 2-8-0 on the road this season, with one of the victories coming in the season opener against Nashville.
2. Chicago has not lost in regulation since March 25 against the Predators.
3. Columbus has not defeated the Blackhawks since posting a 4-3 victory in Chicago on Feb. 18, 2011.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Blue Jackets 2