March 17--The Blackhawks are in a New York state of mind this week.
They have a game Tuesday at the United Center against the Islanders, who are second in the Metropolitan Division, five points behind the Rangers, whom the Hawks will face Wednesday in the Big Apple.
The Islanders have lost three in a row. The league's leader scorer, John Tavares (33 goals, 39 assists), is on a three-game pointless streak, his longest drought this season.
The Hawks, who are 6-2 in their last eight, are third in the Central, five behind the Blues and Predators.
In the nets
Corey Crawford will make his sixth consecutive start for the Blackhawks. He is 4-0-1 in his last five and has given up seven goals. Michal Neuvirth (1-1-1) will start for the Islanders in place of the injured Jaroslav Halak, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Roster report
Kris Versteeg, who hasn't scored a goal in seven games, split time with Daniel Carcillo on the Hawks' third line Tuesday morning and is expected to play Tuesday night on the third line with Brad Richards and Bryan Bickell. Carcillo is expected to be a healthy scratch. ... Joakim Nordstrom will serve the final game of a two-game suspension for his hit on Arizona's Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Thursday. ... The Islanders recalled goalie Kevin Poulin from the AHL. ... Lubo Visnovsky did not make the trip for New York.
Leddy not ready
Former Hawk Nick Leddy traveled with the Islanders but will miss Tuesday's game as he recovers from an upper-body injury. Leddy helped lead the Hawks to the Stanley Cup in 2013 and recently signed a seven-year, $38.5 million extension with the Islanders.
He said it
"It was good to see the city, see some of the guys this morning. It's a little bittersweet (not playing). Trying to get back as quick as I can."
Up next
At Rangers, 7 p.m. Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
-- Paul Skrbina
