TIME: 7:30 p.m. CT

TV: NBCSCH RADIO: WGN 720 STREAM: NHL.TV or via the MyTeamsApp

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The Blackhawks improved to 24-25-9 with a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night and they now set their sights on another big two points when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Chicago has won eight of their last nine games, while Columbus has earned victories in four of their last five.

Video: Jeremy Colliton on Ward & the PP

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• Pregame: Colliton

• Pregame: Kane

• Game Notes

Patrick Kane extended his point streak to 16 games versus New Jersey and has an assist in 15 in a row, which surpasses the franchise record previously set by Stan Mikita in 1967. Kane leads the Blackhawks in scoring with 85 points (34G, 51A) in 57 games. Toews is second on the team with 57 points (26G, 31A) in 58 outings. DeBrincat is second on the team with 29 goals and third in points with 54.

Jeremy Colliton didn't hesitate or have to gather his thoughts when asked about his newest defender. He was ready to talk about him.

"Yeah, he's been a really nice surprise for us," he said.

The Blackhawks head coach has enjoyed having Slater Koekkoek on the roster since he arrived from Tampa via trade back on Jan. 11. Chicago parted with Jan Rutta and a seventh-round pick and received the 24-year-old blueliner and a fifth.

Video: Slater Koekkoek on adjusting to Chicago

• View more coverage from Friday's practice

The acquisition of Koekkoek has flown under the radar with the current trade talk of the town centering around Dylan Strome's production. Since being acquired from Arizona on Nov. 25, Strome has compiled 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 34 games.

Koekkoek's contributions may not show up on the stat sheet as loudly as Strome's, but the 10th-overall pick in 2012 has made an impression of his own.

The Blackhawks took to the United Center ice on Friday for an optional practice following their 5-2 win over New Jersey on Thursday night. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Cam Ward took the option and did not participate. Corey Crawford (concussion protocol) was once again on the ice practicing with the team.

The club hosted about 8,000 local students at practice to help teach STEM through hockey.

Hurry and book your passes and rooms for the 2019 Blackhawks Convention, which is July 26-28 at the Hilton Chicago. This is the 12th annual event and it has sold out every year.

Check out the links below for coverage of practice.

However this Blackhawks season is remembered, this season where checking the playoff and draft lottery odds on the same night seems totally normal, Marcus Kruger will have seen it before.

Kruger isn't part of the Blackhawks core of Stanley Cup veterans who have seen it all and done it all in Chicago. But he's no youngster either, learning how to win in the NHL for the first time.

Anchoring the Blackhawks fourth line after being reacquired from Arizona in the offseason, the 28-year-old is focused on what he can control. On Friday afternoon, that meant improving the Blackhawks league-worst penalty kill. 

"We don't want to be where we are right now. But we can't do anything about that. Have to move forward and get better," Kruger said. "That can help us win games if we play better in that area. That's an area where we can improve a lot. I think over the last little while it's been better even if we've been giving up goals. I think we've been playing pretty good. We just need to keep the focus on the whole kill."

With the Blackhawks role at this month's upcoming trade deadline still undefined, Kruger is keeping his focus on what he can control. No small feat for a guy who has been dealt three times in the last year.

"We don't talk about it a whole lot. Right now we're focused on winning and doing well. Everything else is going to take care of itself," he said. "Obviously we wan't to be up in the standings. That helps. Right now we've just got to focus on one game at a time. I know it sounds boring, but that's what we've got to do right now."

RAPID REACTION: Patrick Kane extended his scoring streak with a goal and two assists as the Blackhawks beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Thursday night. Drake Caggiula, Jonathan Toews, Artem Anisimov and Brandon Saad also found twine as the Blackhawks rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat New Jersey. 

Chris Kunitz was in the starting lineup for Chicago, following a pregame ceremony honoring the four-time Stanley Cup champion as he played his 1,000th NHL game. After the festivities, it was New Jersey who provided the early fireworks with goals from Damon Severson and Travis Zajac staking the Devils to a 2-0 lead. But as they have done throughout this late season resurgence, the Blackhawks would battle back.

• AT&T Call of the Game

• Postgame: Kane

• Postgame: Ward

• Postgame: Colliton 

• Postgame: Saad

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• Boxscore

#88 got things started for Chicago, firing home a wrist shot from the slot to cut the New Jersey lead in half.

Video: NJD@CHI: Kane runs point streak to 16 games with goal

Since Jan. 3, all Kane has done is create offense for the Blackhawks, as he extended his point streak to 16 games with the first period goal. 

Want highlights, written coverage, tweets and more from the Blackhawks game? Check it all out by visiting chicagoblackhawks.com/gameday.

Refresh the page in game or visit after the game for more coverage and content. 

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The Chicago Blackhawks, in partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, announced today that the application process for the eighth annual Eddie Olczyk Award has opened. This scholarship supports youth hockey players and teams in Illinois who may not have the means to play at a competitive level.
 
Since its inception in 2011, the Eddie Olczyk Award has distributed more than $450,000 in grants, raised through Blackhawks youth hockey summer camps, to 212 individuals and eight organizations. Those who wish to be considered for this season's award must submit their application by Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Eligible applicants include:

Individuals and families in need of assistance for participation in an Illinois-sanctioned team or organization
Sanctioned teams in need of assistance for tournament expenses
Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) organizations in need of assistance to run programs which increase the participation in and quality of youth hockey
 
For more information or to submit an application, please visit blackhawks.com/eoa.

TIME: 7:30 p.m. CT

TV: WGN RADIO: WGN 720 ONLINE: NHL.TV

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The Blackhawks (23-25-9) are looking to bounce back from Tuesday night's 6-3 setback at the hands of the Boston Bruins. The loss snapped a seven-game win streak for Chicago and was their first defeat since Jan. 17. Blackhawks forward Chris Kunitz will play his 1,000th NHL game against the Devils.

Video: On The Tape: Taylor Hall

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• Inside the Locker Room

• Pregame: Colliton

• Game Notes

Patrick Kane extended his point streak to 15 games in Boston and has an assist in 14 in a row, which tied the franchise record previously set by Stan Mikita in 1976. Kane leads the Blackhawks in scoring with 82 points (33G, 49A) in 56 games. Toews is second on the team with 56 points (25G, 31A) in 57 outings. DeBrincat is second on the team with 29 goals and third in points with 54.

Every Thursday throughout the 2018-19 season, blackhawks.com will highlight prospects who have stood out for their junior, college or professional team in the previous week's action.

• View more prospect coverage

• View prospect stats

Here are this week's Three Stars.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have placed forward David Kampf on injured reserve (right foot) retroactive to February 5.

Kampf, 24, has appeared in a career-high 50 games with the Blackhawks this season, recording three goals and career-highs in assists (13) and points (16). In 96 National Hockey League games, the Chomutov, Czech Republic native has notched 27 points (7G, 20A).

The Chicago Blackhawks will host the New Jersey Devils tomorrow at the United Center at 7:30 p.m. That game can be seen on WGN-TV and heard on WGN Radio and in Spanish on WRTO-AM 1200.