Long road trips end, but the hangover can linger.

David Backes scored twice during a three-goal second period, Chris Mason made 32 saves, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 Wednesday night.

Back home after their longest road trip of the season, the first-place Chicago Blackhawks will host the St. Louis Blues in tonight’s Central Division clash at United Center.

Back home after their longest road trip of the season, the first-place Chicago Blackhawks will host the St. Louis Blues in tonight’s Central Division clash at United Center. The Blackhawks, who lead the Central and are second in the Western Conference with 78 points, went 5-3-0 during an eight-game swing that ended with Saturday’s loss at Carolina.

On second thought, maybe the Bulls’ road trip wasn’t long enough. After building momentum and confidence by winning the final five games of a tough seven-game road trip - with all five wins against teams with winning records - the Bulls laid an egg in their homecoming Tuesday by dropping a 90-82 decision to the Los Angeles Clippers at the United Center

CHICAGO — On second thought, maybe the Bulls’ road trip wasn’t long enough.