The Chicago Blackhawks are after their seventh straight victory. They have points in eight straight games (7-0-1) and 10 of their past 11 (9-1-1). Center Artem Anisimov has eight goals and 17 points during a 12-game point streak. "It's nice to see guys like [Anisimov] get the start that he has," captain Jonathan Toews said. "We're all talking like we want him to keep it up, but I don't think it should even be looked at that way. I think he's playing good hockey and he's getting the chances that he deserves." Left wing Andrew Desjardins returns from a foot injury and will step in for Tyler Motte (lower body), who will miss the next 2-3 weeks. Desjardins will play his first game of the season. "It seems like it's been a long road to get into 100 percent," he said. "I'm just excited to get back out there. Obviously the team's playing well and I just want to do my part." Rookie Nick Schmaltz will get a shot at playing with Toews and Patrick Kane on the top line after having some shifts with them against the Dallas Stars on Sunday. "He's certainly got good offensive ability as far as play recognition, handling the puck," coach Joel Quenneville said of Schmaltz. "I think he's got some scoring ability. Playing with those two guys, I think that plays to his strengths."
