The Blackhawks hope to end their three-game skid Thursday night and sweep the season series against the Sabres at the United Center. Chicago has won seven consecutive home games against Buffalo dating back to Jan. 14, 2009. The Sabres haven’t won at the United Center since Jan. 10, 2007.
The Blackhawks earned only two of the possible six points on their California road trip, losing on back-to-back outings to the Kings and the Sharks during the weekend. Four teams and nine points now separate the Blackhawks from the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.