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Blackhawks aim for franchise-best ninth straight win

Dec 28, 2008 - 7:51 AM Chicago (19-6-7) at Minnesota (17-14-2), 6:00 pm EST

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) -- In the storied 82-year history of the Chicago Blackhawks, they have never won nine games in a row.

That could change Sunday when the streaking Blackhawks play the Minnesota Wild.

Defenseman Brian Campbell and Dave Bolland notched a goal and an assist apiece as Chicago tied a franchise record with their eighth straight victory, a 5-1 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.

Andrew Ladd, Patrick Sharp and rookie Kris Versteeg also scored, while Martin Havlat and Patrick Kane each had two assists for the Blackhawks, who last won eight straight from January 4-21, 1981.

"It's pretty impressive," Sharp said. "We are not giving up much defensively and that is the key. We have four lines and six defensemen that are playing there roles. You can't ask for more than that."

The Wild and their suffocating defense will look to end Chicago's winning streak. With the league's top-ranked penalty-killing unit at 89.1 percent, Minnesota has only allowed 76 goals, tops in the NHL.

Behind the strong defense, Niklas Backstrom made 35 saves and the Wild overcame an early two-goal deficit and rallied for a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.