Pittsburgh @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 18, 2017 ) Chicago 2, Pittsburgh 1

The Pittsburgh Penguins are riding a four-game point streak (3-0-1) during which they scored six goals in each of the first two contests but a total of two over the last pair. Pittsburgh hopes to rev up the offense again when it concludes a three-game road trip Wednesday against the struggling Chicago Blackhawks.

The Penguins kicked off their trek Saturday with a 2-1 overtime loss in Ottawa and posted a 2-1 shootout victory against the New York Islanders two days later, with Derick Brassard scoring the team's lone goal prior to the bonus format. Captain Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin were kept off the scoresheet in that contest as the latter two remained tied for the club lead with 33 points apiece and the former staying just one behind them. Chicago is coming off its eighth consecutive setback and 10th in 11 contests, a 6-3 loss at Winnipeg on Tuesday in which it got within a goal after allowing the first four before succumbing. Patrick Kane notched a pair of assists for his second straight two-point performance during his four-game point streak for the Blackhawks, who are beginning a four-game homestand.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TVA

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (13-10-6): Pittsburgh's lineup could receive a boost on Wednesday as goaltender Matt Murray and veteran center Matt Cullen may return from 11-game absences due to lower-body injuries. Both players were full participants in Tuesday's practice, with Cullen receiving the green light for contact, and could be on the ice against Chicago. Patric Hornqvist (upper body) likely won't be, however, as the 31-year-old Swede did not practice and remains day-to-day.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (9-18-5): Kane has been kept off the scoresheet just once in his last nine games, registering three goals and eight assists in that stretch. Alex DeBrincat netted a tally against the Jets, giving him a point in eight of his last 10 contests (three goals, five assists). Captain Jonathan Toews has gone back-to-back games without a point, keeping him two shy of 700 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Penguins LW Jake Guentzel has landed on the scoresheet in nine of his last 11 games, collecting six goals and eight assists in that span.

2. Chicago's only victory in its last 11 contests came in overtime at Florida on Nov. 24.

3. Pittsburgh G Casey DeSmith has gone 6-1-1 in his last eight starts while filling in for Murray.

PREDICTION: Penguins 5, Blackhawks 2