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Blackhawks aim to snap seven-game losing streak

Jan 16, 2007 - 3:24 PM Columbus (16-24-5) at Chicago (17-22-6) 7:30 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks try to snap a seven-game losing streak when they host the Central Division rival Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks dropped their sixth straight on Sunday, as they were edged, 4-3, by the Minnesota Wild in a shootout.

Chicago trailed in the shootout, 1-0, in the fourth round, when Denis Arkhipov scored the apparent tying goal. The referees ruled the puck did go in, but after a lengthy video replay involving NHL officials in Toronto, the goal was then disallowed.

The Blackhawks went 1-for-5 on the power play, with defenseman Cam Barker converting for his first career goal in his second NHL game, but have struggled this season with the extra skater. Chicago's 11.0 percent conversion rate is last in the league.

Columbus is also struggling, going 0-3-1 in its last four contests. The Blue Jackets' last two losses came in a home-and-home sweep by the Nashville Predators.

The Blue Jackets, who have had problems scoring goals all season, only netted a single tally in the sweep, losing 2-1 on Friday and 4-0 on Saturday. The Blue Jackets' 112 goals are the second-fewest in the NHL.

Columbus' offensive woes are epitomized by its leading scorer David Vyborny. The right wing, who leads Columbus with 28 assists and 38 points, has no goals and two assists in his last seven games.