Blue Jackets  0    Blackhawks  3

Columbus Blue Jackets (18-21-9) at Chicago Blackhawks (31-11-4), 8:30 p.m.

Sports Network | January 14, 2010

(Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try to avoid their first three- game losing streak of the season tonight when they welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to the United Center for the opener of a home-and-home series.

The Blackhawks are coming off losses last weekend against Minnesota and Anaheim, marking just the fourth time this year that the Central Division leaders have been handed consecutive defeats. Chicago hasn't lost three in a row since a five-game losing streak from March 13-20 of last season.

Chicago, which is second in the Western Conference with 66 points, had posted a 15-4-0 record in 19 games prior to this two-game slide.

The Blackhawks earned a point in Saturday's 6-5 shootout loss in Minnesota and were then handed a 3-1 setback the following night by visiting Anaheim. Jonas Hiller was the story for the Ducks in Sunday's game, stopping a season-high 42 shots en route to the win at United Center.

Duncan Keith had the lone goal for Chicago, which had scored at least four goals in each of its last nine contests. Antti Niemi stopped only 9-of-11 shots in defeat.

"I think both games (Sunday vs. Anaheim and Saturday vs. Minnesota) we did some good things and worked hard but didn't do enough to win," said Chicago's Jonathan Toews. "I don't think there's a loss of confidence or anything."

The Blackhawks played the game without star winger Marian Hossa, who is currently bothered by a lower-body injury. Hossa, who is questionable for tonight, has 11 goals and 10 assists in 23 games for Chicago this year.

Chicago, which is 20-5-1 as the host this year, is capping a brief two-game homestand tonight. The Blackhawks will begin a season-high, eight-game road swing with Saturday's return trip to Columbus.

The Blue Jackets had a three-game winning streak halted their last time out as they were handed a 4-1 setback Tuesday night in St. Louis. Alexander Steen scored a pair of goals, to lead the Blues to the easy win at Scottrade Center.

Fedor Tyutin scored the lone goal for Columbus, which hasn't won in St. Louis since March 27, 2007 and has been outscored 33-11 over their eight-game slide there.

"We had some good spurts," Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash said. "The first period is what killed us. They are a team that plays well at home."

Mathieu Garon was pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots. Steve Mason stopped all 13 shots that he faced in relief for the Blue Jackets, who have 14 losses in their last 18 games (4-10-4).

The Blue Jackets are just 8-14-4 as the visiting club this year.

Chicago earned a home shootout win over the Blue Jackets in the only meeting this year between the clubs on December 1. The Hawks have taken two of three and five of eight overall in the series and Columbus has dropped three of its last five in the Windy City.