(Sports Network) - The mighty Chicago Blackhawks set an NHL record in their
last trip to the ice and they have an excellent chance at extending that mark
in Sunday's matchup against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.
Chicago is the first team in NHL history to record at least one point in 17
straight games to start a season as the club defeated San Jose on Friday night
to push its record to 14-0-3. The 2-1 home win over the Sharks allowed the
Blackhawks to pass the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks, who went 16 games into that
season without a regulation loss.
Columbus would be an unlikely team to end Chicago's record run, considering
the Blue Jackets have lost eight straight and 10 of their last 11 games
against the Blackhawks. Chicago also has won three in a row and four of its
past five home tests against the Jackets.
The Blackhawks won their fourth straight game on Friday, as rookie Brandon
Saad scored a shorthanded, go-ahead goal early in the third period to snap a
1-1 tie. It was the third goal of the season for Saad, a second-round pick by
Chicago in the 2011 NHL draft.
"We're getting key contributions from a lot of different players. Having that
depth makes it a lot easier," Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. "It's a
group effort."
Ray Emery made 26 saves for a Chicago club that welcomed two players back into
the lineup and played with Marian Hossa, who left Tuesday's game against
Vancouver after taking a blow to the head from the Canucks' Jannik Hansen, an
incident that resulted in Hansen receiving a one-game suspension.
Defenseman Brent Seabrook also returned from a one-game absence due to a
lower-body injury, while forward Daniel Carcillo suited up for the first time
since sustaining a knee injury in the season opener.
However, the Blackhawks did lose forward Dave Bolland to an upper-body injury
on Friday and he is doubtful for Sunday's game.
Chicago is 4-0-1 during its current seven-game road trip, improving the team's
record at the United Center this season to 6-0-1. The Blackhawks will play the
final portion of their swing Monday night against Edmonton.
The Blue Jackets lost for the fourth time in five games on Saturday and will
complete a six-game road trip on Sunday.
Columbus was handed a 2-1 regulation setback by the St. Louis Blues in its
most recent game. David Perron scored in the third period to provide the
difference for the home team.
"You hold a team like this to two goals, and they had a couple of flurries
where they had some opportunities, but we had some chances too," Blue Jackets
coach Todd Richards said. "They made one more play than we did tonight."
Matt Calvert scored the lone goal for the Blue Jackets, while Sergei Bobrovsky
stopped 21-of-23 shots.
The Blue Jackets are 2-7-0 as the road team this season.
Columbus is without center Artem Anisimov, who suffered a head injury during
Thursday's 3-2 win over the Red Wings. Anisimov was released from a Detroit
hospital on Friday and flew back to Ohio. Fortunately, his injury is not
considered serious and Anisimov's status is day-to-day.
The Sports Network