Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2018 ) Detroit 8, Chicago 6

A pair of eight-game losing streaks and a five-game slide appeared to bury the Chicago Blackhawks this season, but they have renewed life due to an improbable turnaround. The hottest team in hockey, the Blackhawks look to continue their drive for a postseason berth when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon in a matchup of Original Six rivals.

Chicago followed its five-game skid by ripping off six consecutive victories, including a 4-3 overtime triumph over visiting Vancouver on Thursday. "I mean, now’s the time, right?" the red-hot Patrick Kane told reporters. "I think everyone’s feeling confident. At the same time, we can’t just think because (we’re) playing better that it’s just going to happen for us." While the Blackhawks have amassed 31 goals during their six-game run, the Red Wings have dropped two in a row after falling to Buffalo 3-1 in the opener of a three-game road trip. "It was a tough one, but at the end of the day, we've got to put more pucks in the net," Detroit's Frans Nielsen told reporters.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (21-27-7): Dylan Larkin, who has developed into one of the league's top two-way centers, scored for the third time in four games as he provided the only goal on Saturday to push his season total to 23. That matched his career high he set during his rookie campaign in 2015-16 and gave Larkin 11 points in his last eight games. "I don't think there's any question that Dylan is taking huge steps towards being that good, all-around centerman that you have to be to be a successful hockey team," coach Jeff Blashill told reporters. "I think he's a huge building block for this team because of it."

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (22-24-9): Second-year forward Alex DeBrincat scored twice on Thursday to give him eight goals in his last 10 games and 28 on the season, matching the total from his rookie campaign. DeBrincat has found chemistry with former juniors teammate Dylan Strome, who has posted 27 points in 31 games since being acquired from Arizona in late November. "I think, over time, you just build a connection," Strome, who has notched 13 points in his last eight contests, told reporters. "I usually know where he's going to be. And he's pretty good at putting it in the back of the net, so it works out pretty well."

OVERTIME

1. Kane has recorded 10 goals and 19 assists during his 13-game point streak.

2. Detroit G Jonathan Bernier is 3-2-0 with a 2.37 goals-against average versus Chicago in his career.

3. Chicago G Corey Crawford, who has been out since Dec. 16 due to a concussion, practiced for about 20 minutes on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 2