Blackhawks take 3-game streak into Canada
The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a great start on their current 8-game road trip, having survived a Cristobal Huet special to defeat Columbus 6-5 Saturday before winning a thriller 4-3 at Detroit Sunday in a shootout.
Tonight the Hawks visit Ottawa, which sits sixth in the Eastern Conference with 54 points. Chicago is tied with San Jose for the Western Conference and NHL points leads with 72 and has played one fewer game than the Sharks. While the Senators enter tonight's game as the winners of three straight games, they had to play yesterday, winning 5-1 at Boston. Chicago won't exactly come in fresh in its third game in a different location in four days, but it might have a slight edge there.
What has been great about the Blackhawks lately is that they've been piling up goals almost regardless of opponent or who the opposing goalie is.They have scored three or more goals in all but one of their nine January games. Even more impressive than the great season Patrick Kane has had and the way Marian Hossa has come on is the production the team continuse to get from its third and fourth lines. Chicago's depth is unmatched by anyone in the NHL.
After facing Ottawa, Chicago will face struggling Calgary on Thursday. Losers of five straight, the Flames were destroyed 9-1 at San Jose Monday. Still, they're developing a nice little rivalry with the Hawks taht dates back to last year's playoff series won by Chicago, and goalie Mikka Kiprusoff is a tough customer. Chicago closes out the month and the trip with games at Vancouver, Edmonton, San Jose and Carolina. Let's hope for a 6-2 trip.
