The Chicago Blackhawks entered the Christmas break on a two-game losing streak, and I think they'll be determined to end the skid when they visit the Vancouver Canucks Thursday night. The Nucks have lost four straight and eight of their last nine (1-7-1), including five of their last six games here at Rogers Arena, so the home ice advantage is minuscule. As for a longer term trend, they're 6-25 in their last 31 home games!

Chicago will have to do without Corey Crawford for at least the next three days as he was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. Anton Forsberg (1-4-3, 3.13 GAA) is expected to start the next three games and I expect the skaters to step up their game to help him out.

The Nucks have also been hit hard with injuries after losing Sven Baertschi and Bo Horvat earlier this month for at least a month each.

Blackhawks are 4-1 in the last five meetings.

My selection is an 8* play on Chicago Blackhawks.