[8:08 PM] Blackhawks @ Blues

Who will WIN this matchup?

Chicago Blackhawks (9-3-1)

@ St. Louis Blues (7-4-2)

 

Starting Goalies:

Corey Crawford (CHI): Confirmed

Jake Allen (STL): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Chicago Blackhawks: (+115)

St. Louis Blues: (-135)

 

• The Chicago Blackhawks’ six-game winning streak has been built on a foundation of a potent 1-2 punch involving reigning Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane and captain Jonathan Toews, as well as the strong goaltending of Corey Crawford. The Blackhawks look to continue their good fortune on all fronts and avenge a season-opening loss to the St. Louis Blues when the Central Division rivals meet at Scottrade Center on Wednesday.

• Veteran Marian Hossa set up a goal before scoring in overtime in a 4-3 win over Dallas on Sunday to increase his point total to seven (five goals, two assists) in his last six games and 1,100 in his decorated career. New linemate Artem Anisimov also tallied to extend his career-high point streak to 11 games, but he was held off the scoresheet in Chicago’s 5-2 setback against St. Louis on Oct. 12. Crawford yielded three goals in that contest to fall to 14-5-5 lifetime versus the Blues but has stopped 164-of-169 shots while posting two shutouts during the Blackhawks’ current winning streak.

• Mired in a five-game point drought, 2012 top overall pick Nail Yakupov is expected to be a healthy scratch for the third straight game – and he’s not a happy camper. An upper-body injury to Joel Edmundson will send fellow defenseman Petteri Lindbohm into the lineup, two days removed from being recalled from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.

• St. Louis RW Vladimir Tarasenko recorded two goals and an assist in the first meeting with the Blackhawks and has collected 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in as many career encounters.

• Blackhawks rookie C Tyler Motte is expected to miss three weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced on Tuesday.

• The Blues scored three power-play goals in the first meeting with the Blackhawks but are just 1-for-21 in their last six games.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: St. Louis Blues

Confidence: 4/10

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