The Anaheim Ducks will be looking to tie a franchise record with their seventh straight win tonight against the Blackhawks at the United Center.
During their current six-game streak, they have won five games by a single goal and one other by two. Combine that with several blowout losses during October and the Ducks, tied for fourth-most points in the Western Conference with 21, have a negative goal differential (48 scored, 54 allowed).
Anaheim may also be without starting goaltender Jonas Hiller, who took a shot to his mask during practice and wound up in the hospital, where he got four stitches. If Hiller can't go, backup Curtis McIlhenny will start.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are still trying to find a winning combination and a way to hold leads, which they could not do last night in Nashville despite numerous power-play opportunities. The fact that the Hawks are now at full strength healthwise with the return of Dave Bolland last night should help them begin to get some consistency.
This is the first of four meetings between the Ducks and Blackhawks this year. Anaheim won three of four last year. Tonight's 6 p.m. game will be televised on WGN (Chicago only).