Carolina Hurricanes (6-3-1) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (2–4–2)
12:00 p.m. CDT
United Center
TV/Radio: NBCSN/WGN
Projected starters
Chicago — Corey Crawford (1–3–0, .891 save percentage, 3.58 goals against average)
Carolina — Petr Mrazek (4–1–1, .888 save percentage, 2.86 goals against average)
Team statistics
Power play
Chicago (11.5%, 25th)
Carolina (17.6%, 21st)
Penalty kill
Chicago (76.0%, 24th)
Carolina (75.0%, 17th)
Shorts for/against
Chicago (32.3, 11th; 32.4, 10th)
Carolina (33.1, eighth; 29.1, 26th)
Shooting percentage
Chicago (7.8%)
Carolina (9.7%)
Face off percentage
Chicago (48.7%, 23rd)
Carolina (49.6%, 19th)
Average height and weight
Chicago — 6-foot-1, 198 pounds
Carolina — 6-foot-2, 200 pounds
Projected lines and pairings
Chicago Blackhawks
Alex DeBrincat — Jonathan Toews — Andrew Shaw
Dylan Strome — Kirby Dach — Patrick Kane
Brandon Saad — David Kampf — Dominik Kubalik
Drake Caggiula — Ryan Carpenter — Alexander Nylander
Duncan Keith — Calvin de Haan
Olli Maatta — Brent Seabrook
Slater Koekkoek — Erik Gustafsson
Carolina Hurricanes
Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Teuvo Teravainen
Nino Niederreiter — Jordan Staal — Warren Foegele
Ryan Dzingel — Erik Haula — Martin Necas
Brian Gibbons — Brock McGinn — Lucas Wallmark
Jaccob Slavin — Dougie Hamilton
Joel Edmundson — Brett Pesce
Jake Gardiner — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Analysis
In their previous game, the Blackhawks were outworked by the Philadelphia Flyers in what turned out to be their worst loss of the season. Head Coach Jeremy Colliton pointed out the team’s lack of effort. The Blackhawks play reached a new low when the Blackhawks were outshot 13–1 in the second period despite having two power-plays.
In addition to the lack of effort, the Blackhawks’ power play continues to struggle. They are 3–26 in their last 29 chances which is good for an 11.5% conversion rate. The lone bright spot in the game Thursday was the play of Brandon Saad. Saad continues to play well this season and scored the lone goal vs Flyers.
Blackhawks fans hope they bring more of an effort against today’s opponent, the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes are hungry to get back to their winning ways. After winning six in a row to start the season, the Canes are riding a three-game losing streak. Despite the losing streak, the Canes are still a formidable opponent and are led by former Blackhawks forward Teuvo Teravainen. Teravainen has two goals and seven assists on the season and a point in the last eight games. Other stars that are producing are free-agent acquisition Ryan Dinzgel and trade acquisition Erik Huala.
Can the Blackhawks right the ship on the road after a dismal homestand or will the Canes right their ship against the Blackhawks?
Comment below in our live game thread tonight!
And, be sure to look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game on The-Rink.com.