The set-up: The 48-20-6 Chicago Blackhawks defeated Dallas 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday, improving to 6-0-1 in their last seven games. They now lead Minnesota by eight points in the Central with one more game played. Chicago opens a three-game road trip against the 32-30-11 Florida Panthers on Saturday, who are seven points out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, after earning just their fourth win in 15 games, a 3-1 win over Arizona, on Thursday.

Chicago: The Blackhawks will try to extend their point streak to eight games tonight and also hope to widen their lead over the Wild, although Minnesota is home against the Canucks this afternoon. Patrick Kane notched his team-leading 33rd goal Thursday for his 21st point in the last 14 games to push his total to 81, six behind league-leader Connor McDavid of Edmonton. Captain Jonathan Toews also recorded an assist to extend his points streak to six games in which he scored three goals and set up four others. Veteran Marian Hossa owns goals in back-to-back games In gaol, Corey Crawford rebounded from a rough outing Mar. 21 vs. Vancouver (allowed four goals on just 10 shots!), and turned away 42 shots Thursday to reach 30 victories for the fourth straight season.

Florida: The Panther aren't just seven points out of the East's final wild card spot but they trail a whopping FIVE teams! The Panthers trail the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins by seven points, the Tampa Bay Lightning by six points, the Carolina Hurricanes by two points and the Philadelphia 76ers by one point.

The pick: Chicago is an impressive 23-11-1 on the road, while the Panthers have gone just 17-17-3 on home ice this season. The Blackhawks are on a 6-0-1 run while the Panthers are 1-for-11 on the power play over the last five games (one reason the team is just 2-3 in that span). Make Chicago a 10* play.