The Anaheim Ducks are the only team to have strong success against the Chicago Blackhawks this season. The two faced off earlier this year with Anaheim winning 3-2 in a shootout. The Ducks' great season has been overshadowed by the success the Blackhawks have found in the first half of the season. After missing the playoffs and enduring a mid-season coaching change last season, the Ducks are looking to rid the recent momentum into post season success. The two teams are now in a fight for the top seed in the West and Wednesday night's game will play a big factor in the outcome.
After making history with a historic points streak, the Blackhawks then lost a quick two games , first to Colorado and then to the Oilers, giving up four goals at home in the first period. However, the team got back on track in their recent road trip, outscoring their last two opponents 13-3. Patrick Kane led the way putting up back-to-back three point games. Kane has recorded 26 of the team's best 37 points on the road and in the last four games he has had four goals and six assists. Goalie Crawford is on a roll, stopping 47 of 49 shots in the first two games of the team's road trip.
The Ducks are creating their own form of a streak. They have won a team-record 12 straight home games, earning one point in the last 11 games. The Ducks are now within five points of the Blackhawks for the top seed in the Western Conference. They recently signed Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry to an eight-year, $69 million extension. He will serve the final game of his four-game suspension on Wednesday for a hit he placed on Minnesota's Jason Zucker. Jonas Hiller has reclaimed the starting job of goalie. He is now 7-0-2 in the last nine games, allowing more than two goals only twice in that span.
Anaheim has been a tough place for Chicago to play. They have dropped their last eight of 11 games there. However, the Blackhawks are 13-1-2 away from home this season and have outscored opponents 14-4 on the road.
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