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Time for Blackhawks to get back on course

The Blackhawks' make or break road trip has reached the make or break part.

A three-game swing through Western Canada begins Wednesday night in Edmonton with the Hawks needing wins in the worst way. The team that still talks about being alive in the Western Conference playoff race needs to start proving it.

The Hawks are two games into their seven-game trip and have yet to win, although they did pick up 1 point in Saturday's shootout loss at San Jose.

Hawks coach Denis Savard has said he is treating the seven-game trip like a playoff series. If that's the case, it doesn't look good for the Hawks - just like their playoff chances.

"When you're down 2-0 in a playoff series you need to get the next game," Savard said.

A sweep of Western Canada is what the Hawks need. Anything less would leave them still treading water. Here's a quick look at the three games:

Wednesday at Edmonton

The Oilers are 2 points ahead of the Hawks thanks to Monday's 5-0 win over Calgary.

"They're a team like us that's trying to get back in the race," Savard said.

The Oilers are without three of their best players in defenseman Sheldon Souray and forwards Shawn Horcoff and Raffi Torres. Horcoff, an all-star, is likely done for the season with a shoulder problem that requires surgery.

"There are only two ways you can deal with losing your best player," Oilers defenseman Steve Staios said following Monday's win. "One is to use it as a crutch and an excuse, and the other way is to come out and give your best."

The Hawks have been without Jonathan Toews, their best all-around player, since Jan. 1 and are 4-11 without him.

Thursday at Calgary

Flames general manager Darryl Sutter decided last summer to hire Mike Keenan as his head coach, thinking he was the guy that could push the team to a Stanley Cup.

Keenan had the Flames looking like a Cup contender until recently. Monday's loss to Edmonton marked the 10th straight game without a goal for Jarome Iginla, who had been playing like an MVP candidate.

Trade winds are swirling around the Flames with center Alex Tanguay rumored to be on the move providing he waives his no-trade clause.

Sutter would like to keep Tanguay, but with Dion Phanauf and Daymond Langkow to sign before next season, he might not have enough money to satisfy everyone.

Sunday at Vancouver

The Canucks generally give the Hawks fits, but they have been struggling as well with seven losses in the last eight games prior to Tuesday's meeting with Dallas.

Goaltender Roberto Luongo has been slow to regain his all-star form following a hip injury while defenseman Willie Mitchell (back) and center Brendan Morrison (wrist surgery) remain on the injury list.

The Canucks have defeated the Hawks twice this year behind Luongo, 2-0 in Vancouver and 3-2 in Chicago.

Luongo is 5-1 against the Hawks since being traded to Vancouver.

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place, 8 p.m. Wednesday

TV: Comcast SportsNet.

Radio: WSCR 670-AM.

The skinny: The Oilers are banged up, but that didn't stop them from beating Calgary 5-0 on Monday. Shawn Horcoff (shoulder), Sheldon Souray (shoulder) and Raffi Torres are sidelined, with Horcoff likely out for the season. The season series is tied 1-1 with each team winning on home ice. The Hawks lost 3-2 in a shootout Nov. 25 in Edmonton with Patrick Lalime in goal. Lalime will start again Wednesday night.

Player to watch: Patrick Lalime. He won four of five starts before Hawks coach Denis Savard went back to Nikolai Khabibulin.

Next game: Calgary Flames, Thursday at the Pengrowth Saddledome, 8 p.m.

-Tim Sassone

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