Three Things to Watch: Blackhawks look to end skid vs. Ducks

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Here are Three Things to Watch when the Blackhawks take on the Anaheim Ducks tonight on NBC Sports Chicago and streaming live on the NBC Sports app. Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with Blackhawks Pregame Live.

1. Jean-Francois Berube on the way up?

The Blackhawks placed Jeff Glass on waivers, and indications are pointing to Berube getting the call-up from Rockford. And you have to wonder whether he'll get thrown right in there with Anton Forsberg having allowed three goals on 13 shots in his last start.

Berube is coming in with confidence. He's stopped 54 of 58 shots (.931 save percentage) in his past two starts for the IceHogs after missing two months with an injury. 

2. Can the power play keep heating up?

The Blackhawks have scored a power-play goal in five of their last six games, and the Ducks may give them a few opportunities to continue that run.

No team has committed more minor penalties in the league than Anaheim (227). The Ducks have killed off six straight penalties in their last three games, however, after going 9-for-16 (56.3 percent) in their previous four, so they're starting to feel good about themselves in that area again.

3. Home struggles.

Home ice has continued to be a disadvantage for the Blackhawks since the calendar flipped to 2018. They haven't won a game at the United Center in more than a month, going 0-5-1 over that span.

Well, they'll play their next five games in Chicago so they better find a way to rediscover the success they used to have on home ice fast.

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