The Blackhawks haven't lost three consecutive games all season and they seem intent on avoiding it again Friday night when they host the Coyotes at the United Center.
After defeats to the Hurricanes on Saturday night and Blues on Wednesday, the Hawks face a red-hot Phoenix team that was won five games in a row. That has pulled it within five points of the Hawks in the Western Conference.
"Phoenix is playing pretty well this year," Hawks winger Patrick Kane said following the morning skate. "We want to take advantage of the home crowd. No more excuses. I know we had a long road trip but that's over now and we can move on from that. It's definitely a big game to get this losing streak over for sure."
"We've only faced them once this year and they did beat us (3-1 on Nov. 5 in Arizona). We'll try to get some revenge (Friday night)."
Photo: Patrick Kane says it's time to start winning again. (Scott Strazzante/Tribune)
The Hawks have five more games to play before the 15-day Olympic break begins Feb. 15 with three at home where they are 21-6-1 but have dropped two of their last three.
"It's an important game for us," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We want to recapture the winning feeling and do the right things in the course of the game to enhance our chances of getting on the right side of the score. The last two games ... we played probably good enough to win but knowing that that extra desparation of getting on top is what we need to bring."
Colin Fraser, who was a healthy scratch for the first time this season against the Blues, will return to the lineup but Quenneville wouldn't reveal who would sit out. It's possible Fraser will shift from center to wing on the fourth line. That would make Tomas Kopecky an option to scratch.
Cristobal Huet will make his fifth consecutive start in goal. Antti Niemi has returned to the ice after missing the last two days with an illness and will serve as Huet's backup.
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