Chicago at Ottawa

The defending champs have loads of talent and great balance, #13 in goals scored and allowed, plus the #6 power play in the NHL. Star Patrick Kane is the NHL's point leader with 38, and has 12 goals and 20 assists in the longest streak by an American-born player. The Blackhawks just concluded an impressive 3-1-2 road trip. They are on a mini-two game slide by one goal each time, but Chicago has lost back-to-back games on five occasions and responded from their latest skid by beating San Jose 5-2 on November 25. The Blackhawks are 14-6 after scoring two goals or fewer in their previous game. Ottawa is #23 in the NHL in goals allowed and has lost two in a row. Ottawa lost 4-2 to Philadelphia on Tuesday in its return from a three-game road trip. Ottawa also lost forwards Milan Michalek and Mika Zibanejad during the game with Michalek's injury looking more long term. The Blackhawks have won five of the last six games against Ottawa and swept last season's two matchups, part of a 5-1 run against Ottawa. Play Chicago.