The set-up: the 13-4-2 Chicago Blackhawks will be in Edmonton tonight to take on the 10-8-1 Oilers. When the circus comes to Chicago's United Center every November, it forces both the Blackhawks and the NBA's Bulls on extended road trips. Rogers Place will be the fourth stop on a seven-game trek for the Blackhawks, who head to California after this contest. Edmonton got off to a surprising 7-1-0 start (Oilers were just 31-43-8 last season) but has returned to Earth quite quickly, with a 3-7-1 stretch that included a five-game losing streak from Nov. 7 through Nov. 17.

Chicago: Marian Hossa's overtime goal was Saturday's game-winner and was the second straight game-winning tally for the future Hall of Famer (510 career goals, team-best 11 this season), who told reporters: "We didn't panic. We knew there was still 20 minutes and this team's able to score three goals in a period. We just had to get step by step, one by one." Hossa has eight goals, including three game-winners, and two assists in 10 games this month (Blackhawks are 8-1-1). Corey Crawford (9-4-2, 2.17 goals-against average, .928), who has alternated losses and wins in his last four starts, is expected back in goal after playing Friday and giving way to backup Scott Darling on Saturday.

Edmonton: The Oilers have been a doormat in recent seasons but the team's 7-1-0 start has seen them be at or near the top of the Pacific Division for much of this season. The team's 5-2 Saturday win at Dallas snapped a five-game slide, highlighted by
Connor McDavid's first career hat trick. He leads Edmonton with eight goals and 14 assists through 19 games but he has failed to score a goal in four consecutive home games. Cam Talbot (9-7-1, 2.62, .916) snapped a personal four-game slide Saturday after allowing 14 goals during that span and is the likely starter Monday.

The pick: Crawford and Talbot will see to it that this game stays under, which I'm making a 10* play.