Boston (8-3-3) at Chicago (7-3-3), 8:30 p.m. EST
CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Winning streaks will be on the line when the
Boston Bruins visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Boston comes in on a three-game winning streak and winners of
six of its last seven. Chicago has won four straight contests.
The matchup will also feature the league's top-ranked offense
against one of its best defenses. Chicago leads the NHL in
scoring a 3.62 goals per game, while Boston is allowing 2.21
goals per contest - third-best in the league.
The Bruins finished a 3-0-0 homestand with a 3-1 victory over
the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. Manny Fernandez made 32 saves
and Chuck Kobasew registered a goal and an assist after missing
12 games with a broken leg.
Chicago has totaled 21 goals over its hot stretch and is coming
off a 6-1 triumph over Calgary on Sunday.
Patrick Kane has notched a point in four straight games and had
a goal and two assists in the win over the Flames. The
19-year-old leads the team with 11 assists and 18 points.
Boston has won the past two matchups between the Original Six
teams. The last Chicago victory was a 2-1 overtime triumph on
February 14, 2004.
Prior to the game, Chicago will honor Pierre Pilote and the late
Keith Magnuson by retiring the No. 3.
Both Pilote and Magnuson were fixtures in postseason play, and
Pilote was a member of the Hawks' last Stanley Cup team in 1961.
Chicago coach Joel Quenneville, who played against Magnuson,
said that the night is special because of what both men meant to
the team's history.
"They're two special players," Quenneville said. "(Magnuson and
Pilote) are two guys who represented the organization with
pride. It should make for a special night."