The Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks Saturday night, looking to extend their win streak to four games — a feat that would tie them for longest win streak of the season. Conversely, the Ducks are hoping to regain winning form after being routed by the Minnesota Wild on Friday.
The Ducks are an unexpectedly decent team this season, having a 19-14-7 record good for 45 points and second place in the Pacific Division, a sharp turnaround from finishing second-to-last in the league last season. Considering they’re still in the bottom half of the league in shot metrics at 5-on-5 — including a sub-average expected goals share percentage — their success is being driven primarily thanks to their youth movement and exceptional special teams.