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Blackhawks vs. Oilers game preview 2017: Darling likely to start as Chicago goes for 5th straight win

Scott Darling will likely start for the Chicago Blackhawks against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night at Rogers Place.

Darling’s last appearance between the pipes was a 5-3 loss to Winnipeg on Jan. 26 at home. The Lemont, Ill. native struggled lately to record a victory, winning just two of his last five starts. He has produced a respectable 2.31 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and a 12-5-2 record overall.

The Hawks (34-17-5) are riding a four-game win streak after defeating the Jets, 5-2, for the first time this season Friday. The Hawks now have 73 points, just five points behind the first place Minnesota Wild.

In head-to-head matchups, the Hawks lead Edmonton (72-66-12), but trail on the road (32-38-5). The only other meeting between these teams this season was a 5-0 shutout loss in late November at Rogers Place.

Edmonton sits in third in the Pacific Division with 66 points and a (29-18-8) record. Cam Talbot will start in net for the Oilers. Talbot has been a major reason why Edmonton is in the playoff hunt this season, as he holds the eighth best goals-against average with more than 40 games played (2.32). He also holds a .921 save percentage, along with a 27-15-7 record.

The Oilers are led offensively by some kid named Connor McDavid, who is currently tied with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby for the league lead in points at 60. McDavid has 18 goals and 42 assists this season.

For more on the Edmonton Oilers, visit SB Nation’s Copper & Blue.

Lineups

Blackhawks

Forwards

Schmaltz-Toews-Panik

Panarin-Anisimov-Kane

Rasmussen-Kruger-Hossa

Hinostroza-Kero-Hartman

Defensemen

Keith-Hjalmarsson

Kempny-Seabrook

Campbell-van Riemsdyk

Goalie

Darling

Oilers

Forwards

Maroon-McDavid-Leon

Lucic-Nugent-Hopkins-Eberle

Pouliot-Caggiula-Slepyshev

Lander-Letestu-Kassian

Defensemen

Sekera-Benning

Klefbom-Larsson

Davidson-Oesterle

Goalie

Talbot

*Lines will be updated if necessary

How to Watch Blackhawks at Oilers

Time: 9 p.m. CST

Where: Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB

TV: WGN

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