Chicago @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 9, 2018 ) Montreal 3, Chicago 2

The Chicago Blackhawks still face an uphill climb to make the playoffs but they are on a roll and have a chance to put a dent in the postseason chances of the Montreal Canadiens. The Blackhawks have ripped off four consecutive wins and are six points out of the second wild card entering Saturday night's matchup at Montreal.

Chicago made it three straight victories over teams currently holding down playoff slots, building a five-goal lead and holding on for a 5-4 win at Toronto on Wednesday. "I just think as we go here, we're getting more comfortable with how we have to play to win," coach Jeremy Colliton said. The Canadiens dropped a 2-1 decision at the New York Islanders on Thursday -- their 10th loss in 16 games (6-9-1) -- to remain one spot out of the playoff picture in the East. "That hunger, that bite, it's not there," forward Andrew Shaw said after the latest defeat. "It's not where we need to be. We need to be a playoff team right now, and it looks like we're just going out there and playing."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), CITY, Sportsnet East, TVAS (Montreal)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (31-30-9): Offense has not been an issue during Chicago's late-season surge, but the return of No. 1 netminder Corey Crawford has fueled the current winning streak. Crawford, who missed more than two months due to a concussion, has yielded one goal in each of his last three starts. “(Cam) Ward and (Collin) Delia have played really well for us,” forward Patrick Kane said. “But Crow’s a top goaltender in the NHL -- everyone knows that and we know that in here. Obviously we’re going to feel confident with him in the net.”

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (37-27-7): Montreal needs to find a way to get its offense untracked -- since erupting for 12 goals in back-to-back road wins at Detroit and the New York Rangers, the Canadiens have scored 12 times over the past six games (2-4-0). Coach Claude Julien and the players were puzzled by a lack of effort in the first period against the Islanders. “It’s kind of hard to put your finger on it,” Brendan Gallagher said after Friday's practice. “To be honest, if I knew the answer I probably would have changed it last night.”

OVERTIME

1. Kane, who scored twice in a 3-2 loss to Montreal on Dec. 9, needs one point to reach 100 for the season.

2. Price improved to 4-5-0 with a 2.57 goals-against average versus Chicago with the victory in December.

3. The Canadiens have won the past two meetings but Chicago owns a four-game winning streak in Montreal.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Canadiens 2