Preview: Blackhawks at Islanders

BLACKHAWKS (19-8-4) at ISLANDERS (11-12-5)
7 p.m. ET; MSG+, CSN-CH, NHL.TV

Blackhawks team scope

It's the second of a three-game road trip for the Chicago Blackhawks, who are 3-0-1 in their past four games. Despite the New York Islanders sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with 27 points, the Blackhawks won't be taking anything for granted. "I didn't know they were in last place. But it seems like they've been playing well as of late," said forward Patrick Kane, who has gone eight games without a goal. "I know they had a rough start to the season. They went on a little winning streak there. I think they're probably feeling a little bit better about themselves. You look at their lineup, you say it's a pretty good team. I don't think it's a team that by any means we can take lightly or think it's going to be an easy game. They have a pretty physical team over there as well. [I] expect a tough one tonight. Hopefully [we] play the right way and create some chances on the counter."

Islanders team scope

He didn't mention anyone by name, but Islanders coach Jack Capuano was critical of his players following a 4-2 loss at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Two days later Capuano is making one change to his forward group, with center Alan Quine playing in place of rookie Anthony Beauvillier. Quine will skate between veteran forwards Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera, neither of whom had a shot attempt Tuesday. "I think after a loss, you give up a couple power-play goals, as coaches you guys get to talk to us right after and emotions run high," Capuano said. "For me, it's just trying to find that offensive contribution from some of our other guys and see what we can do. That's my job, to try and put them in that situation." Beauvillier has one point in his past seven games and was scratched for a 6-2 loss at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. "[Beauvillier has] played well, he's played hard," Capuano said. "But at this point as a young player, as a coaching staff you've got to try to go with your veteran guys."

Blackhawks projected lineup

Ryan Hartman -- Jonathan Toews -- Marian Hossa
Artemi Panarin -- Artem Anisimov -- Patrick Kane
Dennis Rasmussen -- Marcus Kruger -- Richard Panik
Andrew Desjardins -- Vinnie Hinostroza -- Jordin Tootoo
Duncan Keith -- Niklas Hjalmarsson
Brian Campbell -- Brent Seabrook
Michal Kempny -- Trevor van Riemsdyk
Scott Darling
Lars Johansson
Scratched: Tyler Motte, Michal Rozsival, Gustav Forsling
Injured:Corey Crawford (appendectomy)

Islanders projected lineup

Anders Lee -- John Tavares -- Josh Bailey
Shane Prince -- Brock Nelson -- Ryan Strome
Andrew Ladd -- Alan Quine -- Jason Chimera
Nikolay Kulemin -- Casey Cizikas -- Cal Clutterbuck
Nick Leddy -- Travis Hamonic
Thomas Hickey -- Johnny Boychuk
Calvin de Haan -- Dennis Seidenberg
Thomas Greiss
J-F Berube
Scratched:Jaroslav Halak, Anthony Beauvillier
Injured:Adam Pelech (upper body)

Status report

Crawford skated in Chicago on Wednesday but did not take any shots. He had surgery Dec. 3. "He felt pretty good," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "We'll continue to see how he progresses today and go from there." … Greiss will start for the first time in a week; the Islanders have lost back-to-back games with Halak in net and have been outscored 10-4. … Pelech participated in the morning skate but remains on injured reserve.

Who's hot

Darling, who will make his seventh straight start, is 3-0-1 and has allowed three goals in his past four games. He has allowed two goals or fewer in five straight. … Anisimov has three goals and an assist in his past four games and Panarin has three points (one goal, two assist) in the past two. … Lee has five points (three goals, two assists) in his past five games.