The Blackhawks open December by hosting the Blues for the first game this season between the Central Division rivals Monday at the United Center.
Chicago (10-11-5) enters the matchup after dropping both games of a home-and-home against the Avalanche where they were outscored 12-5. The back-to-back losses have the Blackhawks sliding down the standings with a 1-4-1 record in their last six gams.
The Blackhawks were without veteran defenseman Duncan Keith (groin) during Saturday’s 7-3 beatdown in Denver. Keith’s absence was noticeable as the team looked more lost than usual in their own zone.