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Blackhawks try to extend win streak vs. red-hot Blues

Oct 17, 2007 - 2:18 PM St Louis (3-1-0) at Chicago (3-2-0) 8:30 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks will try to do something they have not accomplished since 2002 on Wednesday.

The Blackhawks, who are coming off back-to-back victories, will try to extend their winning streak to three games when they face the St. Louis Blues.

If Chicago can skate away with another win, it would be the first time since the 2002-03 campaign that it has posted a three-game winning streak in the first month of the season.

The Blackhawks have narrowly escaped with wins in their last two games, registering one-goal victories over the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The strong start is not necessarily a good sign for Chicago, which has missed the playoffs each of the past five seasons. The Blackhawks began the 2006-07 season with wins in four of their first six games but then went on to lose their next seven games.

While Chicago is trying to win three consecutive games, St. Louis is off to its best start since going 7-1-0 to begin the 1997-98 campaign.

The Blues are riding a three-game win streak after dropping their season opener to the Phoenix Coyotes, 3-2, on October 4. Following the loss, the Blues have outscored their opponents, 13-5. Included in that is a 4-1 rout of the Colorado Avalanche in their last contest on Friday.

Dan Hinote scored his first two goals of the season against the Avalanche. Hinote, an eight-year veteran, returned to the ice after missing the previous two games as a healthy scratch.