Blackhawks at Sabres
The Chicago Blackhawks seek their first post-Olympic winning streak when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. Chicago posted consecutive wins on Feb. 3 and 5 but is just 2-3-0 since, including a 2-0 setback at Phoenix in its final game before the break. The Blackhawks have followed a three-game stretch during which they scored a total of three goals by recording 13 tallies in their last three contests (2-1-0).
Captain Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw scored two goals apiece as Chicago cruised to a 6-1 home triumph over Columbus on Thursday. The Sabres were unable to tally in their last contest as they dropped a 2-0 decision to Florida on Friday in a battle between the two worst teams in the Eastern Conference. The Blackhawks edged Buffalo 2-1 at home on Oct. 12 as Ben Smith and Patrick Kane scored while Corey Crawford made 28 saves.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (37-13-14): Toews has scored five times during a three-game streak to become the fourth member of the team to reach the 20-goal plateau. The veteran, who has posted a pair of two-goal performances during his streak to reach 24, joins Patrick Sharp (29), Kane (27) and Marian Hossa (24). Toews' scoring burst has helped offset the slump of Kane, who is mired in a five-game drought and has tallied in just one of his last eight.
ABOUT THE SABRES (19-36-8): Rostislav Klesla's tenure with Buffalo apparently has ended before it even started as the defenseman announced he will not play again this season - and may never return to the NHL. "It has been a tough year for injury and moving several times to new teams," the 31-year-old Czech said in a statement. "I will now take some time off and get ready to continue my career in Europe. ... I am grateful for the career I have had in the NHL." Klesla recorded a goal and three assists in 25 games with Phoenix this season before being traded on March 4 to the Washington Capitals, who dealt him to the Sabres the following day.
OVERTIME
1. Drafted fourth overall by Columbus in 2000, Klesla collected 48 goals, 111 assists and 620 penalty minutes in 659 career games with the Blue Jackets and Coyotes.
2. D David Rundblad is expected to make his debut with the Blackhawks after being acquired from Phoenix on Tuesday.
3. Obtained from Los Angeles on Wednesday, Buffalo LW Nicolas Deslauriers made his NHL debut Friday due to injuries to RW Chris Stewart and Cs Torrey Mitchell and Zemgus Girgensons the night before.