Blues at Blackhawks
The league-leading Chicago Blackhawks vie for their third consecutive victory over a Central Division rival when they host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Chicago has posted wins over the Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators after losing three of its previous four contests. The Blackhawks will receive an added boost as they welcome back Marian Hossa, who missed the club's previous six games with an upper-body injury.
St. Louis is looking to climb back into a playoff spot in the Western Conference as it fell to ninth place with the Edmonton Oilers' 8-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. The Blues halted a three-game skid on Monday, when they posted a 4-1 triumph over the Northwest-leading Minnesota Wild. Acquired from Calgary on Monday, defenseman Jay Bouwmeester is expected to make his debut with St. Louis provided his visa issues are resolved.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), CSN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE BLUES (18-14-2): Bouwmeester was obtained for defenseman Mark Cundari, goaltender Reto Berra and a conditional first-round pick in this year's draft. The 29-year-old recorded six goals and nine assists with a minus-11 rating in 33 games with the Flames. He will become the second blue-liner in as many games to make his debut in the Blues' lineup as Jordan Leopold played in Monday's victory - two days after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres. With the two additions to the defense corps, Wade Redden was dealt to the Boston Bruins for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2014.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (27-5-3): Hossa, who his third on the team with 13 goals and 23 points, is anxious to get back in the lineup. "I felt good today, so there's no reason to wait any longer," he told reporters on Wednesday. "I think I'm ready to go." Patrick Sharp is not yet ready, however, as he will miss his 12th consecutive contest with a shoulder injury. Michal Handzus figures to begin his second stint with the Blackhawks after being acquired from the San Jose Sharks on Monday. The veteran center, who notched one goal and one assist in 28 contests with San Jose, played the first eight games of 2006-07 with Chicago before going down for the season with a torn ACL.
OVERTIME
1. G Jake Allen was recalled from the American Hockey League by the Blues as Jaroslav Halak is expected to miss several weeks with a lower-body injury.
2. Chicago has won four straight meetings with St. Louis and six of the last seven.
3. Blues RW T.J. Oshie was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 5, Blues 2