Arizona Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Pick Center

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Arizona Coyotes

+175

+1.5
(-165)

O 5.5
(+120)

Chicago Blackhawks

-205

-1.5
(+145)

U 5.5
(-140)

NHL

FINAL (12/6/2016)

Time: 08:30 P.M. EST Venue: United Center CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane knows that he and his teammates need to ignite a sleepy offense. But Kane doesn't want to waste too much energy worrying about Chicago's recent struggles. The Blackhawks have scored zero or one goals in five of their last eight games." Sometimes, you think too much about creating offense, and that works to your disadvantage," said Kane, who leads the team with 26 points in 27 games. "I think (we need to) play a little bit simpler of a game, myself included. ... That's the best way to get scoring chances and get shots in this league is try to get it back to the point, get to the net, and hopefully get some screens." The Blackhawks (16-8-3) will try to return to the basics when they host the Arizona Coyotes (8-12-4) on Tuesday night. The game marks the first of three meetings this season between the teams. Chicago is hoping to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season. Depleted by injuries to captain Jonathan Toews (upper body) and goaltender Corey Crawford (appendectomy), the Blackhawks have dropped back-to-back games against Philadelphia and Winnipeg. Crawford will remain sidelined for at least a couple weeks, and the timetable for Toews' return is uncertain. Neither player will be on the ice to face the Coyotes, but teammates refuse to use their absence as an excuse for recent struggles." It's a team game," Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. "I think we just weren't good enough the last couple games." Arizona also has struggled, albeit without significant injuries. The Coyotes are winless in their past four games (0-2-2) and will play on short rest after a 4-1 loss at Columbus on Monday night. Like the Blackhawks, the Coyotes have endured prolonged slumps on offense this season. Arizona has scored three-plus goals in only 10 out of 24 games this season. Right winger Radim Vrbata leads the Coyotes with 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 24 games. Vrbata's five-game point streak ended Monday when he was held scoreless against the Blue Jackets. The matchup in net likely will feature Chicago's Scott Darling against Arizona's Mike Smith. Darling is 4-2-1 with a .912 save percentage and a 2.71 goals-against average in nine games. Meanwhile, Smith is 4-2-3 with a .930 save percentage and a 2.64 GAA in 10 games. Smith, 34, is coming off one of the best performances -- certainly the busiest -- of his career. The Ontario native set a franchise record with 58 saves on 60 shots Saturday in a home game against the Blue Jackets. Smith's 58 saves also marked the most by any goaltender in the NHL this season." He has been a key guy for us," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said during an interview Monday with Fox Sports Arizona. "We need him to play well. We're still trying to find our footing as a young team, and he has certainly been a backbone for us." Coyotes veteran Shane Doan is sitting on 399 career goals. The 40-year-old is on the cusp of becoming the eighth active player and the 93rd player in NHL history to score 400 goals.