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Scouting report: Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks

7:30 p.m. at United Center

TV: NBCSCH • Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: With the Blackhawks (21-24-9, 51 points) having won five straight, this is suddenly a huge game for coach Jeremy Colliton's squad. Vancouver (24-24-6, 54 points) occupies the second-wild card spot, just 1 point ahead of Colorado and 2 ahead of St. Louis. ... The Canucks, who have lost three of four, are led by rookie Elias Pettersson (24G, 23A), Bo Hovart (18G) and Brock Boeser (18G). They are all are under 24 years old. ... Vancouver is just 2-for-28 on the power play, but has killed off 25 of 28 penalties over the last 11 games. ... Vancouver won the teams' last meeting 4-2 on Oct. 31. Patrick Kane (sick) did not play. Kane is riding a 12-game point streak in which he has 10 goals and 18 assists. ... The Hawks are a league-best 24-for-67 (35.8 percent) on the power play since Dec. 12. Tampa Bay is second over that time at 29 percent. ... Blackhawks center David Kampf suffered a foot injury against Edmonton on Tuesday and will not play.

Next: Detroit Red Wings, 2 p.m. Sunday at United Center

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