Following two consecutive strong performances, the Chicago Blackhawks have built some momentum heading into their longest trip of the season.
They'll kick off the six-game western trek looking for a third consecutive victory Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers.
With Patrick Kane still on an offensive tear and veteran defensemen Duncan Keith and Michael Rozsival back on the ice, Chicago (10-7-1) won 4-2 at St. Louis on Saturday, then 4-1 over Calgary a night later.
"That was probably our best two games back-to-back, and the consistency that we always look for was right there,'' coach Joel Quenneville said. "We've got to play well on this road trip and prove we can play the same way."
The Blackhawks are 2-5-0 on the road and allow an average of 3.3 goals there - 1.4 more than at home - but head into their annual circus trip feeling confident. After snapping that five-game road skid Saturday, Chicago outshot the Flames 41-26.
"I think we're excited about that and hopefully carry it on to the road," said Keith, who has played almost 52 minutes in two games since missing 10 with a knee injury.
Kane has 10 goals and 12 assists during a 13-game point streak - one shy of matching his career-high run from 2013-14. He can also become the first Blackhawk to score a goal in eight consecutive contests since Joe Murphy's nine-game run in 1994-95.
''I think if you start worrying about that stuff, it's only going to go to your disadvantage,'' Kane said.
''We want to show up every game for our team and make sure we're doing our job, whether it's offensively or defensively.''
Chicago looked solid on both ends Nov. 8 when Kane had a goal with three assists, linemate Artemi Panarin scored twice and Corey Crawford made 34 saves in a 4-2 win over the Oilers (6-12-0). All of Kane's seven goals and 14 assists at Edmonton came during an 11-game point streak that ended with a 5-2 loss there Jan. 9.
That also snapped a three-game winning streak at Edmonton for Chicago, which outscored the Oilers 16-3 during the run.
Since losing 2015 top-overall pick Connor McDavid for "months" with a broken clavicle in a 4-2 win over Philadelphia on Nov. 3, the Oilers have dropped four of five. Despite overcoming an early 2-0 hole Saturday, Edmonton concluded a 1-3-0 trip with a 4-3 loss at Los Angeles.
The Oilers allowed four goals three times and three another on the trip. Cam Talbot has dropped three straight and has a 3.89 goals-against average while losing five of his last six. He made 24 saves at Chicago.
Making matters worse, a host of Oilers - highlighted by forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - are dealing with illness in addition to those already banged up.
"Hopefully we'll have, not a full complement but, a larger complement of players to pick from," coach Todd McLellan told the Oilers' official website.
Jordan Eberle is one of those players who received a day off from practice Monday but should be ready. Eberle, who missed the first 13 games with a shoulder injury, registered his only point of the season with a goal at Chicago.
Taylor Hall was shut out against the Blackhawks but has two goals and two assists in three games since.
Crawford has won five straight starts against Edmonton, and has a 1.23 GAA in the last four.
