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Blackhawks continue trip at Maple Leafs

Nov 22, 2008 - 11:26 AM Chicago (9-4-5) at Toronto (7-8-4) 7:00 p.m. EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks look to extend a perfect start to a six-game road trip on Saturday when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After capturing a 3-2 shootout win in Phoenix on Tuesday, Kris Versteeg led the offense with a goal and two assists as the Blackhawks defeated the Dallas Stars, 6-3, on Thursday.

Vertseeg has goals in three straight games, but Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp continue to lead the NHL's second-highest scoring offense (3.56 gpg) with 10 goals apiece.

Kane, who ranks fifth in the league with 24 points, has five goals and 10 assists in the last nine contests and has scored at least a point in eight of those games.

Toronto enters the contest with two wins in its last eight contests and has allowed 67 goals, most in the Eastern Conference.

Vesa Toskala has allowed three goals or more in six of his last seven. The Finnish netminder let up four tallies in 28 minutes during a 4-2 loss in Vancouver last Saturday before being replaced by Curtis Joseph.

The Maple Leafs, who have not played since a 3-2 loss to Boston on Monday, are led by Matt Stajan's 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists).

Prior to the start of the game, the Maple Leafs will honor No.17 for former left wing Wendel Clark.

Clark's ceremony is one of two the Maple Leafs have scheduled for this season. They will also honor the No. 93 of Clark's old linemate, Doug Gilmour, on January 31 before a contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The respective Nos. 17 and 93 banners for Clark and Gilmour will join those of Syl Apps, Ted Kennedy, Walter "Turk" Broda, Johnny Bower, Tim Horton, George Armstrong, Charlie Conacher, Frank Mahovlich, Darryl Sittler, Clarence "Hap" Day, Leonard "Red" Kelly and Borje Salming.

Clark holds the record for the longest span between NHL All-Star Game appearances, with 13 years (1986-1999).

The top overall pick in 1985, Clark had 330 goals and 234 assists in 793 games over his 14-year career with the Maple Leafs, Nordiques, and Blackhawks.