Flames at Blackhawks
After securing the second Presidents' Trophy in franchise history, the Chicago Blackhawks look to continue their winning ways against the Calgary Flames on Friday. Chicago didn't have too much difficulty with the other Alberta representative as Patrick Kane collected a goal and two assists in a 4-1 triumph over Edmonton on Wednesday. Captain Jonathan Toews joined Kane by netting his 22nd goal for the Blackhawks, who improved to 10-1-2 in their last 13 games.
Miikka Kiprusoff could be playing in his last NHL game on Friday. Rumored to be considering retirement, the veteran Finn may receive the curtain call as Calgary wraps up a four-game road trip with its season finale. Kiprusoff has a career-worst 3.44 goals-against average in 2013. Rookie Sven Baertschi scored to extend his point streak to seven games in the Flames' 4-1 loss to St. Louis on Thursday.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN, RDS2, CSN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE FLAMES (19-24-4): With little more than pride on the line, Baertschi does not believe his team will be in awe of the mighty Blackhawks. "We want to put in everything we've got ... we want to finish the right way," he said. Baertschi has three goals and six assists during his point streak - after setting up just one tally his first 13 contests. Baertschi has yet to face Chicago in his young career.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (35-6-5): Corey Crawford likely will get the call after he turned aside all 14 shots he faced on Wednesday in relief of Ray Emery, who suffered a lower-body injury. Emery made a career-high 45 saves in a 3-2 shootout win over Calgary on Feb. 2 and a 2-0 shutout on March 26. Speaking of injuries, Patrick Sharp returned from a five-game absence due to an ailing shoulder and scored an empty-net goal on Wednesday.
OVERTIME
1. Chicago C Drew LeBlanc played nearly 12 minutes in his NHL debut against Edmonton. LeBlanc was the 2013 Hobey Baker Award winner after collecting 13 goals and 37 assists in 42 games with St. Cloud State.
2. Calgary is 0-8-1 in its last nine trips to the United Center. The Flames' last victory in the Windy City was a 4-2 decision on March 16, 2008.
3. Blackhawks D Nick Leddy scored against the Flames in the last meeting. He has failed to find the net in April.