For the first time since early February, the Blackhawks are looking to extend their win streak to four when they visit the Maple Leafs on Wednesday in Toronto.
Despite their recent winning ways, Chicago sits six points back of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 69 points. Dallas holds the top wild-card spot at 77 points, followed by Arizona at 75 points.
Chicago lost the only meeting this season between the teams, 7-6 in overtime in its home opener that showcased Patrick Kane and Auston Matthews’ star power on full display.
Kane is two points shy of hitting the 100-point mark for the second time in his career, and eight points from matching his career best 106 points (46 goals, 60 assists). He has 41 goals and 57 assists through 68 games this season.
Corey Crawford has started the last three games for Chicago, going 3-0 and allowing six goals on 91 shots for a .934 save percentage. He is expected in net Wednesday.
Mitch Marner leads the way for the Maple Leafs with 82 points (24 goals, 58 assists), followed by John Tavares at 76 points, Morgan Rielly at 65 points and Matthews at 61 points. Matthews has eight points through five games in his career against the Blackhawks, including his four-point (two goals, two assists) outing earlier this season.
The Maple Leafs have struggled to provide depth on the blue line, with both Travis Dermott (left shoulder) and Jake Gardiner (back spasms) sidelined long-term. Kasperi Kapanen missed Toronto’s lopsided loss to the Lightning on Monday with a concussion, and is out for Wednesday’s game.
Drake Caggiula (concussion) and Cam Ward (right knee) remain out of the lineup, and both have an undetermined return date. Artem Anisimov was removed from Monday’s 7-1 win over Arizona to nurse a nagging undisclosed injury, preparing for the upcoming Canadian road trip.
*Lineups will be updated if line rushes are done during Wednesday’s morning skate.
Lineups
Blackhawks
Saad — Toews — Sikura
DeBrincat — Strome — Perlini
Kahun — Anisimov — Kane
Kunitz — Kampf — Kruger
Keith — Gustafsson
Dahlstrom — Murphy
Forsling — Seabrook
Crawford
Delia
Maple Leafs
Hyman — Tavares — Marner
Johnsson — Matthews — Nylander
Marleau — Kadri — Brown
Ennis — Gauthier — Moore
Reilly — Hainsey
Muzzin — Zaitsev
Marincin — Ozhiganov
Andersen
Sparks
How to watch
When: 6 p.m., Central
Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
TV: NBC Sports Network