Flames-Blackhawks Preview

With Patrick Kane riding the NHL's longest point streak and two key defensemen back, the Chicago Blackhawks head home feeling a bit better about themselves.

Now there's little reason to believe Kane won't be able to stay hot against the defensively challenged Calgary Flames, whom he's tormented throughout his career.

Kane looks to become the first Blackhawk to score in seven straight games in 20 years Sunday night when Chicago tries to extend its longest home point streak against any opponent.

The defending champions allowed 25 goals during a 2-4-1 stretch before welcoming back Duncan Keith and Michal Rozsival from injuries in Saturday's 4-2 win at St. Louis.

Keith had an assist after missing 10 games with a torn meniscus in his knee, while Rozsival played 13 minutes in his season debut after fracturing his left ankle last postseason.

"I felt good. It was nice to get back in the swing of things," Keith told the team's official website. "I thought that we did a lot of good things and battled through some things. We can build off this game."

Kane scored the go-ahead goal in the second period to extend his point streak to 12 games. The star winger has had nine goals and 11 assists during the league's longest such streak this season.

Kane has found the back of the net in the past six games, leaving him on the verge of becoming the first Blackhawk to score in seven straight since Joe Murphy did it in nine from March 3-April 2, 1995.

"We're pretty used to (Kane) doing that," goalie Corey Crawford said. "That's nothing new from him. He always finds a way to score big goals and he just doesn't stop."

Kane has 16 goals and 16 assists in 28 meetings with the Flames, who have given up a league-high 3.72 goals per game. He's only scored more against Dallas and Nashville (both 17).

Chicago, 7-2-1 at home, hopes to take advantage of a stop back at the United Center before embarking on a season-high six-game road swing.

The Blackhawks (8-7-1) have outscored Calgary 49-25 while going 11-0-2 during their longest current home point streak against any opponent. They're 18-4-3 over the past 25 in the series overall.

Chicago will have to keep a close watch on Flames leading scorer Sean Monahan. The 21-year-old center scored his second goal of the game in overtime Friday for a 3-2 win at Washington. He has four goals in his last four games but only two in his six against the Blackhawks.

Calgary (6-11-1), which has the second-fewest points in the Western Conference, snapped a two-game losing streak and had been 1-6-1 while getting outscored 32-18 in its previous eight on the road.

"We'll have to build off that now and keep that with us going into Chicago," Monahan said.

Karri Ramo is expected to get the nod after he stopped 34 shots against the Capitals. Ramo had been 1-4-0 with a 3.64 goals-against average over his previous five road starts.

Scott Darling will likely be between the pipes for Chicago after Crawford finished with 29 saves against the Blues. Darling has gone 1-2-0 with a 3.36 GAA as a starter this season.