The New York Rangers opened a five game road swing with a 2-1 loss in overtime at Detroit Wednesday. A win won't come easy tonight either as they're traveling to Chicago to face off with the Blackhawks. The hosts are looking to sweep a three game home-stand after defeating the Canes and the Oilers, and I think we're getting a fair price on Chicago in this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Chicago's Defense - The Blackhawks D is ranked second in the NHL for goals allowed per game and the team has put up some excellent defensive performances of late. Chicago has won four of its last five while allowing nine goals, with four of those coming at Tampa Bay. Corey Crawford was rested for that game and has conceded only one goal per game over his last three starts. This is bad news for the Rangers and their leading goalscorer Rick Nash who has found the net only once over his last five games.

2. Road Woes - The Rangers have lost both of their last two match-ups away from home and the hosts are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in this series. Cam Talbot is likely to be in net again with King Henrik still injured, and he's only 6-6-1 away from home for the season behind a swollen GAA of 3.02..

3. X-Factor - Jonathan Toews is red hot for the Hawks, tallying two goals and two assists over two games so far in March.

Selection: This is a play on the Chicago Blackhawks (8*)