The Chicago Blackhawks returned to home ice on Monday to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Military Appreciation Night at the United Center. The Hawks completed a 1–0–1 California road swing on Saturday with a 3–2 win over the Anaheim Ducks as part of the team’s annual dad’s trip. But the tune was different Monday, as the Hawks were thoroughly outclassed in a 3–0 defeat to the Canes.
— The Blackhawks started slow and would never recover, as the Hurricanes dominated 5-on-5 play. Carolina took a 1–0 lead about midway through the first period when Jordan Martinook redirected a Brent Burns point shot for his fourth of the season.
— Carolina extended its lead to 2–0 with just under five minutes to go in the first when Jordan Staal scored his fourth on a wrist shot from the right circle that went over the glove of Petr Mrazek, who made 29 saves in the loss.
— In the second period, Andrei Svechnikov sniped his 12th of the season at the 14:07 mark on a setup from Jesper Fast, who intercepted a Caleb Jones clearing attempt. The Canes’ 3–0 lead would stand as final. Pyotr Kochetkov made 27 saves for his first NHL shutout to move Carolina to 10–5–1 on the season while the Blackhawks dropped to 6–6–3.
— The lone bright spot for the Hawks was the penalty kill, which went 4-for-4 against Carolina. The Hawks have killed off 10 straight since they gave up three power play goals in their 4–0 loss at Winnipeg on Nov. 5.
The Blackhawks return to the United Center on Wednesday night for a nationally televised matchup against the St. Louis Blues. Puck drop on TNT is at 6:30 p.m. CST.