Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2019 ) Detroit 1, Chicago 2

The Chicago Blackhawks were bidding to match a season-high winning streak and complete a perfect three-game road trip, only to be derailed by another shaky performance from their defense. The Blackhawks get a chance to start another streak when they open a four-game homestand against the league-worst Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night.

Although Chicago has won five of its last seven overall (5-2-0), it surrendered seven tallies for the second time in five contests in Thursday's 7-5 loss at Vancouver. "I think our team's turning in the right direction," star forward Patrick Kane told reporters after the Blackhawks blew a two-goal lead to snap a three-game winning streak. "It's not perfect yet, but we're building and we're finding a way to get better." That's not the case for the bedraggled Red Wings, who have won only three of their last 22 (3-17-2) and are buried at the bottom of the league with 23 points. Missing two of its top forwards in Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou, Detroit has dropped seven of eight overall and the last three versus Chicago.

TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (10-29-3): Detroit has scored two goals or fewer in five of the last six games and failed on all 14 power-play chances in the past five contests after going 0-for-5 in Friday's 4-1 loss at Dallas. The absence of Mantha certainly has been a factor but the Red Wings have converted on 15.3 percent for the season. "Confidence matters on the power-play unit," coach Jeff Blashill told reporters. "I thought our power play (Tuesday night) was one of the best we had all season. ... We have to make sure it's a difference in the long run."

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (18-18-6): Robin Lehner had seized the No. 1 netminder's job, making his fourth straight start in the loss to Vancouver, but he injured his right knee and is listed as day-to-day after sitting out Saturday's practice. "We’re still trying to figure out exactly how serious it is, but he didn’t skate today," coach Jeremy Colliton said of Lehner, who had a six-game winning streak snapped. Kane has netted 10 goals in his last 10 games after scoring twice in each of the past two contests.

OVERTIME

1. Kane scored three times in a two-game sweep of Detroit last season and has 42 points in 47 meetings.

2. Red Wings F Tyler Bertuzzi has scored 11 of his team-high 15 goals on the road.

3. Blackhawks captain C Jonathan Toews has five goals and 10 assists in his last 13 games.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 5, Red Wings 2