(Sports Network) - The Calgary Flames look to get an offensive boost from a returning Mikael Backlund this evening when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks hoping to snap a six-game slide at the United Center. . Following a 2-1 road trip, the Flames returned home on Tuesday to battle the Wild and failed to get on the scoreboard in a disappointing loss. Despite 23 saves from Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary was blanked 3-0 and held to a pair of goals or fewer for the fourth time in five games. The Flames had a host of opportunities on the power play, including a five- minute major when Minnesotas Nick Johnson was penalized for head butting Jarome Iginla during a fight. However, Calgary finished 0-for-7 on the man advantage. "We have to do a better job at it. Bottom line. Im embarrassed to talk about our power play tonight," said Flames head coach Brent Sutter. Sutter hopes to add some energy to the offense with the return of the 22-year- old Backlund, who will make his season debut after suffering a broken finger in October that led to a pair of surgeries. The center had 10 goals and 25 points in 73 games this year and could jump right on to the top line between Iginla and Alex Tanguay. "Its a big opportunity for me," said Backlund. "Its two great players that have been top players in this league for a long time and experienced players, so it will be fun to play with those guys if thats the case." Backlund would be wise to look Iginlas way in this game. Calgarys captain had five goals and three assists in the four meetings with Chicago last year, helping his club earn a split of the series. The Blackhawks, though, had won the previous eight encounters before that and took both games played in Chicago in 2010-11 to extend their series home winning streak. Chicago is coming off a season high for goals scored having bested Columbus by a 6-3 margin last night. Jonathan Toews have a pair of goals and an assist for his first three-point game of the campaign. Andrew Brunette, Steve Montador, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa also scored for the Blackhawks, who got 27 saves from Corey Crawford to halt their losing streak. "We wanted to stop sliding like we were," said Montador. "I think we realized that our success comes from what we put into the game." Chicago came into the game having scored just five goals on 57 power-play chances, but went 2-for-3 last night. "Its always good [to score on the power play]," said Toews, who notched his first multi-goal game of the season. "It doesnt matter who scores the goals, or how. Just the fact that one of your units can go out there and make a couple of plays and make something happen, thats what youre looking for." Kanes goal gave him eight points over his last five games and he owns seven goals and nine assists in 15 career games versus the Flames. Chicagos recent three-game slide included the clubs first regulation home loss at home this season (5-1-2). [url=http://www.packersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-ray-nitschke-jersey-wb-... Nitschke Jersey . Marc-Andre Fleury made 35 saves to tie the Pittsburgh franchise record for wins and the Penguins clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night. . Tapp, a third-year arts student from Calgary, was named the most valuable player of the CIS womens hockey championship held at the University of Alberta in Edmonton after she helped the third-seeded Dinos capture the first national title in program history. [url=http://www.packersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-aaron-rodgers-jersey-xl... . -- In between trade talks and early negotiations with free agents, baseball general managers considered some wide-ranging changes that include broader use of instant replay by umpires, changed roster limits for September and protective headgear for pitchers. [url=http://www.packersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-brett-favre-jersey-tk-4... Favre Packers Jersey . This week, they discuss the journalists that covered Lance Armstrong, the World Baseball Classic, Alex Kovalev, and the NHLs attempts to apologize for the lockout. .Y. -- As if a deflating season-opening loss wasnt bad enough in putting a dent in the Buffalo Bills high expectations.JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from international football only three months before his country hosts the African Cup of Nations, citing the physical toll of playing for both Bafana Bafana and English Premier League team Everton. The midfielders decision was announced by the South African Football Association on Tuesday as coach Gordon Igesund named his Bafana squad for two upcoming friendlies. "Hes given us 10 years of service and his body is tired," Igesund said. Defender Bongani Khumalo of Greek club PAOK Thessaloniki will take over the captaincy permanently after standing in for Pienaar in recent games. But Igesund also said he would try to convince Pienaar to change his mind. The 30-year-old midfielder had been a key part of South Africas plans in the African Cup next January and February, and when the team tries to qualify for the next World Cup in Brazil. Pienaar told SAFA of his decision in a letter, which was read out by SAFA chief executive Robin Petersen at Tuesdays news conference. In it, Pienaar wrote that "it is with regret that I announce my retirement from international football." "Im proud to have represented and captained my country. For this I sincerely thank you and wish the team all the best in the future," Pienaar said in the letter. Pienaar, who made his debut in 2002, said his 10-year international career had left himm struggling physically. [url=http://www.packersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-c-j--wilson-jersey-fk-8... Wilson Jersey. He phoned Igesund to inform him of his decision on Monday, the coach said. "I am disappointed that Steven has retired from the national team," Igesund said. "His presence and leadership is invaluable and could have helped us in our mission ... but we must respect his decision. When I travel overseas to check on other players, I will try to have a word with him." Pienaars absence will be a major blow for Igesund, who had hoped to build South Africas team around the former Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham player at next years Cup of Nations and in the qualifying competition for the 2014 World Cup. Pienaar played more than 50 games for South Africa but was becoming increasingly absent for international duty because of injury and his commitments to Everton. South Africa replaced Libya as host of the 2013 African Cup, giving the former World Cup host nation a chance to restore its reputation on the field within African football after it failed to qualify for the last two continental championships. Igesund took over from former coach Pitso Mosimane following South Africas embarrassing failure to reach the last Cup of Nations, when players celebrated a draw on the field believing they had qualified. In fact, they needed to win. Next years African Cup runs from Jan. 19-Feb. 10. South Africa has lined up friendlies this month against Poland and Kenya. ' ' '