Chicago @ Anaheim preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 5, 2018 ) Chicago 2, Anaheim 4

The Chicago Blackhawks' late-season drive to reach the postseason has hit a speed bump and now the team must hit the road for a three-game trip through California. After winning 10 of 12 games to briefly move into a tie for the second wild card in the Western Conference, the Blackhawks have dropped two in a row entering Wednesday night's matchup at the Anaheim Ducks.

Goaltender Corey Crawford, sidelined for more than two months due to a concussion, was activated from injured reserve Monday and is expected to play against one of the Pacific Division foes on the trek. “I’m sure the guys will get a little emotional boost,” Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said. “Most importantly, he’s a pretty good goaltender. He’s proven, tested, experienced and that’s going to help." The Ducks responded well following the firing of coach Randy Carlyle, winning three of four games, but they scored only twice in dropping the final three contests of a four-game road trip. "It's tough sledding but we've all been through situations where things don't go your way and you can't hope your way out of it, you have to work your way out of it," center Devin Shore said.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, NBCS Chicago-Plus

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (26-28-9): Crawford, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with Chicago, sat out the final 47 games of the 2017-18 season when he suffered a concussion just before Christmas and was sidelined for 28 games after he sustained another concussion on Dec. 16. “We’ve been playing so well that I just want to jump in and be apart of that and try and contribute as much as I can,” Crawford told reporters Tuesday. “Hopefully I get the feelings -- the good feelings back right away and just roll with it.” Captain Jonathan Toews has six goals in nine games and is riding a six-game point streak.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (24-30-9): Anaheim's defense has improved noticeably since general manager Bob Murray moved behind the bench, allowing only 13 goals over seven games despite an injury-ravaged goaltending corps after getting pierced for 37 tallies in the previous seven contests. Defenseman Brendan Guhle, acquired from Buffalo in exchange for blue-liner Brandon Montour, had a team-high five shots on goal in his debut with the team. “I saw a guy who had a lot of jump and can move his feet and skate and wanted to be out there and wanted to be a part of this,” Ducks assistant coach Marty Wilford said.

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks F Patrick Kane, who had a 20-game point streak halted Sunday, has 10 goals and 33 points in 40 contests versus Anaheim.

2. Ducks G John Gibson could be back in the lineup after having four impacted wisdom teeth removed during the road trip.

3. Blackhawks F Alex DeBrincat has eight goals in his last nine games.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Ducks 3