PREVIEW: Blackhawks at Blue Jackets - April 10, 2021

TIME: 6 p.m. CT
TV:NBCSCH | RADIO:WGN 720-AM / TUDN 1200-AM | STREAM:
NHL.TV
&
MyTeamsApp
The Blackhawks and Blue Jackets open a two-game series on Saturday night in Columbus, the final two games between the two teams on the season slate.

TEAM RECORDS

CHI: 18-18-5, 41 pts
CBJ: 15-19-8, 38 pts

LAST TIME OUT

Chicago dropped a 5-1 game to Dallas on Thursday night, splitting the midweek set with the Stars at the United Center. Dominik Kubalik struck for a second straight game and Kevin Lankinen made 25 saves in the defeat.
Columbus dropped a 6-4 result to Tampa Bay on Thursday night, unable to overcome an early 3-0 hole in the opening minutes of the first. Jack Roslovic led the team with a goal and two assists in the loss.

VS. COLUMBUS

The Blackhawks have a 4-2-0 record against the Blue Jackets on the season, including wins in the last three games. Dating back to the 2010-11 season, The Blackhawks are 26-8-2 over their last 36 games against the Blue Jackets.
Patrick Kane's 45 assists and 68 points against Columbus are his most against any NHL opponent, He has 13 points (4G, 9A) -- including a season-high four-point performance on Feb. 23 -- in six games against the Blue Jackets this year

THE HOME STRETCH

After Saturday's game, the Blackhawks will have played 75% of their schedule and be exactly one month out from their final game of the regular season (May 10 vs. Dallas).
A difficult run of games over the last quarter of the season with a 4-9-0 record in the last 13 outings has seen Chicago's midpoint points percentage of .589 slip to a .500 mark entering the 42nd tilt. The Blackhawks are tied with Dallas (.500) and behind Nashville (.549) in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division as all three teams get set to complete their 56-game slate in the next calendar month.

KUB-ELITE

Kubalik has a goal in back-to-back games and in three of his last four skates. Through 41 games this season, the Plzen, Czech Republic native shares second on the Blackhawks with 14 goals. Kubalik also shares second with 116 shots on goal and is one helper away from matching his total from a season ago.

WHAT'S UP DACH?

Kirby Dach has three points (1G, 2A) over his last five games and skated in over 20:00 of total ice time in a game for the third time this season on Thursday night. He saw over 20:00 of TOI in just one regular-season game during the 2019-20 campaign.
Dach registered three takeaways against the Stars on Tuesday, the third time in his career has been credited with three or more takeaways in a game.