The set-up: Two of the NHL's best square off Friday night in Chicago, when the 18-9-1 Rangers take on the 17-8-3 Blackhawks. The Rangers won 2-1 last night in Winnipeg to improve to 8-5-0 on the road and now visit the United Center where the Blackhawks are 11-2-2.

NY Rangers: The Rangers opened with a 13-4-0 start to the season but last night's win leaves them 5-5-1 over their last 11. Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is expected to be in goal after being given the night off against the Jets. Lundqvist is 12-8-1 with a 2.55 GAA and a .912 save percentage this season. In his career against Chicago, he is 6-2-2 with a 2.19 GAA and a .925 save percentage. New York leads the league with 99 goals this season, an average of 3.54 goals per game. Michael Grabner has a team-leading 13 goals, while Rick Nash and Kevin Hayes have 11 goals apiece.

Chicago: The Blackhawks continue to make do without captain Jonathan Toews, who has been out since Nov. 23 with a back injury. Patrick Kane leads the team in points with 27, while Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin have posted 23 points apiece. Scott Darling has fulfilled his role as Corey Crawford's backup without complaint these last two-plus seasons and his recent success as Crawford's injury replacement has reinforced the faith of his coaches and teammates. Darling will make his fourth consecutive start as Crawford recovers from an emergency appendectomy. He has posted a .940 save percentage in his last three outings and is 8-5-2 with a 2.39 goals-against average and .919 save percentage this season.

The pick: Two quality goaltenders will not be enough to keep this one under, as the rangers average 3.38 GPG on the road and the Blackhawks average 3.40 GPG at home. The Over is a 10* play.