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Jan 19, 2010 - 12:07 AM Chicago (34-11-4) at Ottawa (24-21-4), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Blackhawks relied on offense as they got off to a strong start to their season-high eight-game road trip.

That scoring depth, though, could be tested in the Blackhawks' next game as they face Daniel Alfredsson and the resurgent Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

Chicago (34-11-4) won the first two games of its trip, getting three third-period goals to top Columbus 6-5 on Saturday after blowing a two-goal lead.

The Blackhawks squandered a one-goal advantage after two periods the next day against Detroit, but won their third in a row as three players scored in the shootout for a 4-3 victory.

Chicago went 4-0-1 in its last five road contests.

"It was a mostly even game," said forward Marian Hossa, who had a goal in Sunday's tiebreaker. "It could have gone both ways, and we got lucky and won."

Second in the NHL with 165 goals, the Blackhawks have been especially productive of late, scoring 59 in the last 14 games.

Marian Hossa recorded six goals and five assists in his previous nine games, but he did not have a point in his last two meetings with Ottawa, where he played his first seven seasons.

Hossa does have three goals and 15 assists in 12 career games versus the Senators, although he did not score a goal in his last eight matchups with them.

Ending that streak might prove difficult against an Ottawa club that outscored opponents 11-3 in winning its last three. The Senators (25-21-4) were outscored 22-5 during a five-game skid that preceded the winning streak.

Following back-to-back victories from minor league call-up Mike Brodeur, Brian Elliott stopped 22 shots in place of his ill teammate in a 5-1 victory over Boston on Monday, the finale of a five-game trip.

If Brodeur is still sick, Ottawa could again turn to Elliot, who has never faced Chicago. Top goaltender Pascal Leclaire's status is also uncertain due to a concussion.

The Blackhawks' Cristobal Huet beat the Senators 2-0 on Dec. 10, 2008, but posted a 4.94 goals-against average in his last four road games. Backup Antti Niemi, who improved to 12-3-1 with the win over Detroit, has never faced Ottawa.

Whoever starts will be tasked with cooling off Alfredsson, who recorded a hat trick against the Bruins in his second game since returning from a shoulder injury. Alfredsson has four goals and two assists since coming back.

"Being able to do some real good workouts and skates, coming back I feel fresher than anybody," Alfredsson said.

Teammate Filip Kuba returned Monday and had two assists after missing four games because of an upper-body injury.

Alfredsson did not earn a point in his last two games versus the Blackhawks, but has seven goals and nine assists in 15 career games against them. He will try to help his team tie a season high with its fourth consecutive win.

Ottawa, however, is 4-5-0-2 all-time at home against Chicago. The Blackhawks won the last meeting at Scotiabank Place 4-3 in overtime Dec. 22, 2007.

Chicago took six of the last eight matchups overall.