PREVIEW OF TODAY’S ACTION
SURGING WESTERN CONFERENCE CLUBS SET PLAY HOST ON TUESDAY
The Blackhawks (9-7-4, 22 points), Stars (11-8-2, 24 points) and Sharks (10-10-1, 21 points) all put their respective win streaks on the line when they host the Hurricanes, Canucks and Oilers, respectively.
* Chicago enters Tuesday’s contest with wins in each of its last four games, outscoring opponents 21-10 over that span. Since Nov. 1, the Blackhawks lead the League with 36 goals (including shootout-deciding goals) while also boasting a 6-1-2 record. The Blackhawks are led offensively in that span by
Patrick Kane, who enters with a nine-game point streak (8-9—17 in 9 GP) and trails only
Leon Draisaitl (4-14—18 in 8 GP) in points since the turn of the calendar month.
* The Stars have won five of their last six home games and three straight overall as they welcome
Elias Pettersson (8-17—25) and the Canucks to American Airlines Center. Dallas goaltender
Ben Bishop enters the contest with a 5-1-0 record in his last six
decisions, while allowing two or fewer goals in each contest.
* San Jose, 6-0-0 in its last six games, puts the League’s longest active win streak on the line when Draisaitl (16-27—43) and
Connor McDavid (14-26—40) visit SAP Center.
Brent Burns (5-14—19) and
Evander Kane (12-6—18) are both within reach of joining teammates
Tomas Hertl (10-11—21) and
Logan Couture (3-18—21) with at least 20 points. Vancouver and Washington are the only teams with
more than two 20-point players this season (both w/ 3).
MAROON RETURNS TO ST. LOUIS FOR FIRST TIME WITH LIGHTNING
Lightning forward
Pat Maroon (4-3—7 in 15 GP) returns to St. Louis for the first time since signing as a free agent with Tampa Bay on Aug 24. Maroon (St. Louis, Mo.) played a pivotal role in helping his hometown Blues capture the franchise’s first Stanley Cup, contributing a pair of game-winning goals in the run to the championship including a
memorable double-overtime winner in Game 7 of the Second Round to propel the Blues to the Western Conference Final.
QUICK CLICKS
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McDavid, MacKinnon, Yandle named NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ of the week
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Hockey Hall of Fame notebook: Class of 2019 induction ceremony
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Five Questions with Nicklas Lidstrom
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General managers to discuss offside rule at annual meeting
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NHL expects Puck and Player Tracking to be ready for playoffs