After ringing in the New Year on the road, the Blackhawks return to the United Center for a four-game homestand, which kicks off with a rare back-to-back over the next two nights. Thursday's opponent will be the Buffalo Sabres, who began 2017 with a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday, just the second win in their last eight outings. With 36 points in the standings, Buffalo shares the worst record in the Eastern Conference, and they're looking at a lottery draft pick for the fifth consecutive year, which wasn't the plan coming into this season.
The Blackhawks are looking to refocus after a 4-1 loss to St. Louis in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2, their fifth loss in six games, a trend that has allowed Minnesota to close the gap in the Central Division to just one point with four games in hand. Injuries to key players have limited Chicago's ability to execute their preferred puck possession style of play over this last stretch. They've scored just eight goals in the last five games, while often ending up on the wrong side of the shot differential.
While Corey Crawford has been strong in net since returning from injury, and special teams have been effective, the Blackhawks know they'll have to go back to generating scoring chances and applying pressure to opponents at even strength in order to hold off the likes of the Wild and the Blues in the back half of the season.
Hossa returns as Chicago begins homestand vs. Buffalo
