Not only did the Blackhawks snap a nine-game losing skid and steady their ship, but they were dominant at times against the NHL’s top club and made sure backup goalie Marty Biron didn’t last more than 10 minutes last night for the Rangers. It was an impressive performance by head coach Joel Quenneville’s team, which got off on the right foot when captain Jonathan Toews scored on a penalty shot just 1:04 into the game. Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi was called for closing his hand on the puck in the crease, awarding Toews an opportunity he wouldn’t pass up.

When they get together with the Blue Jackets for a matinee today at Nationwide Arena, the Blackhawks will be in pursuit of back-to-back wins for the first time since Jan. 18-20 and come into the game having won all four meetings this year against Columbus. No one has had more success in the season series than Viktor Stalberg, who always seems to have a big game vs. the Blue Jackets. In the last meeting, he notched a hat trick and led Chicago to a 5-2 win at United Center on Jan. 10 – Todd Richards’ first game as interim head coach.

The Blue Jackets are playing better hockey now than they were entering that game in Chicago, and have an opportunity to win for the fifth time in seven games this afternoon. Coming off an emotional 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues earlier this week, Columbus has had a few days to re-charge and get ready for a Blackhawks team that will be desperate to build on its win and climb the Western Conference standings.

Corey Crawford appears to be the starting goaltender for the Blackhawks, and Steve Mason is expected to start between the pipes for the Blue Jackets.

G	Nash (18)	Toews (28)
A	Prospal (25)	Hossa (34)
PTS	Nash (39)	Hossa (56)
PIM	Dorsett (148)	Carcillo (82)
+/-	MacKenzie (+5)	Hossa (+21)
W/L	Sanford (10-13-4)	Crawford (19-14-5)
GAA	Sanford (2.52)	Emery (2.82)
SVP	Sanford (.915)	Emery, Crawford (.899)