(Sports Network) - The Blackhawks knew it would take some time to build some chemistry after salary cap issues prompted a roster overhaul this past offseason.
Chicago takes aim at its first victory of the season this evening at HSBC Arena as it faces a Buffalo Sabres squad that has split its first two games of the season.
The Blackhawks began defense of their first Stanley Cup title since 1961 with an overtime loss in Colorado on Thursday, then dropped a 3-2 decision to Detroit on Saturday in their home opener. Chicago raised its championship banner before the game before dropping its second one-goal game of the season.
"At the beginning of every year a team has to build chemistry," said goaltender Marty Turco, who made 23 saves in his second loss of the season. "It's not just something that you can mix up in a bowl. You have to go out there and pay attention and eventually it comes together."
Bryan Bickell, who had three goals in 16 games last year, scored his second goal in as many games and Brent Seabrook also tallied for Chicago, which was without Patrick Sharp due to an upper-body injury. He is questionable for this contest.
Chicago guns for its first victory of the season against a Buffalo team that it has lost four of its last five against. The 'Hawks lone win in that span came at home on Jan. 14, 2009 and they lost a 2-1 contest at HSBC Arena last year in the only meeting between the clubs.
Turco has lost five straight starts (0-4-1) against the Sabres and hasn't beaten them since March 31, 2003 while with the Stars.
Buffalo won its season opener last Thursday at Ottawa, but was then dealt a 6-3 setback in its home opener on Saturday by the New York Rangers, who got a hat trick out of Derek Stepan in his NHL debut.
Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller yielded five goals on 27 shots faced in the opener of a four-game homestand. Defenseman Jordan Leopold scored his first two goals of the season and assisted on Derek Roy's tally, his third of the young season.
"If you're going to take positives, it's a decent thing," Leopold said of his third career multi-goal game. "You always want to win, you always want two points. The end result hurts but we have to put it behind us and be ready to work come Monday."
Defenseman Tyler Myers will try to shake off a rough game as the Rangers' first goal of the contest went off the reigning Rookie of the Year's skate before his turnover behind the net led to New York's second goal.
Roy has yet to score in four previous games versus the Blackhawks, but does have three assists. Miller, meanwhile, has won both of his career starts against the club with a 1.00 goals-against average.