Chicago hosts Columbus, looks to stop home slide

Columbus Blue Jackets (23-23-1, fifth in the Metropolitan) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (18-24-7, seventh in the Central)

Chicago; Thursday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Chicago hosts Columbus looking to stop its four-game home losing streak.

The Blackhawks have gone 8-11-3 in home games. Chicago is the last team in the Western Conference averaging 6.6 points per game. Patrick Kane leads the team with 46 total points.

The Blue Jackets have gone 11-13-0 away from home. Columbus is seventh in the Eastern Conference averaging 3.1 goals per game, led by Boone Jenner with 19.

Chicago beat Columbus 4-2 in the last meeting between these teams on Jan. 11. Alex DeBrincat scored two goals for the Blackhawks in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kane leads the Blackhawks with 46 points, scoring 12 goals and adding 34 assists. Dylan Strome has six goals and five assists over the last 10 games for Chicago.

Jenner has 34 total points while scoring 19 goals and totaling 15 assists for the Blue Jackets. Patrik Laine has 14 points over the last 10 games for Columbus.

LAST 10 GAMES: Blackhawks: 3-6-1, averaging 2.5 goals, 4.2 assists, 3.4 penalties and 8.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game with an .897 save percentage.

Blue Jackets: 5-5-0, averaging 3.1 goals, 4.6 assists, 3.2 penalties and 6.4 penalty minutes while allowing four goals per game with an .891 save percentage.

INJURIES: Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews: out (concussion protocol).

Blue Jackets: Emil Bemstrom: out (health protocols).

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