7:30 p.m. CST
United Center
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN
Projected starting goaltenders
Chicago — Robin Lehner (4–3–2, .934 save percentage, 2.51 goals against average)
Carolina —Petr Mrazek (9–3–1, .904 save percentage, 2.62 goals against average)
Team statistics
Power play
Chicago (14.5%, 25th)
Carolina (23.8%, 14th)
Penalty kill
Chicago (80.0%, 19th)
Carolina (83.3%, 12th)
Shots for/against
Chicago (30.0, 20th; 37.1, 31st)
Carolina (33.5, 8th; 29.2, 3rd)
Shooting percentage
Chicago (10.2%, 13th)
Carolina (10.3%, 9th)
Face off percentage
Chicago (48.6%, 25th)
Carolina (50.8%, 10th)
Average height and weight
Chicago — 6-foot-1, 197 pounds
Carolina — 6-foot-2, 199 pounds
Projected lines and pairings
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad — Jonathan Toews — Alexander Nylander
Alex DeBrincat — Dylan Strome — Patrick Kane
Dominik Kubalik — David Kampf — Andrew Shaw
Ryan Carpenter — Kirby Dach — Zack Smith
Duncan Keith — Erik Gustafsson
Calvin de Haan — Brent Seabrook
Olli Maatta — Connor Murphy
Carolina Hurricanes
Ryan Dzingel – Jordan Staal – Warren Foegele
Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Teuvo Teravainen
Nino Niederreiter – Eetu Luostarinen – Martin Necas
Brock McGinn – Lucas Wallmark – Jordan Martinook
Jaccob Slavin – Dougie Hamilton
Joel Edmundson – Brett Pesce
Jake Gardiner – Trevor van Riemsdyk
Analysis
The Carolina Hurricanes storm into Chicago with a three-game winning streak only to be one-upped by the Blackhawks’ four-game streak of their own. The Blackhawks have also earned points in six straight games. Chicago leads the NHL in November with 14 points led by an offensive explosion the past four games which has seen the team score 21 goals in that span.
Patrick Kane has shouldered the offensive load riding a nine-game point streak (eight goals, nine assists) and goals in six consecutive games. The Buffalo, New York native currently leads the Blackhawks in goals (11) and assists (15) and will need to continue his current play as other forwards look to find their stride consistently hitting the scoresheet.
One bright spot amongst the remaining forward group is 18-year-old rookie Kirby Dach. Dach scored twice on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres and has goals in three of the past four games. The 6-foot-4 forward has a 26.3 percent shooting percentage on the season while playing fourth-line minutes. Keep striking while the iron is hot young man.
Robin Lehner will be in net tonight. The 28-year-old Swedish goaltender is coming off an emotional victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Lehner turned aside 39 shots in Nashville and is currently fourth in the NHL with his .936 save percentage.
Carolina is led by defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Andrei Svechnikov who both have nine goals and 22 points on the season, respectively. Former Blackhawk forward Teuvo Teravainen leads the Hurricanes with 14 assists. Goaltender Petr Mrazek has been pedestrian in four of his last five appearances and appears to be the starter in net.
One winning streak will have to end tonight. With solid goaltending and a continued offense that is clicking on all cylinders, Chicago should extend theirs, continuing their drive to respectability in the Western Conference.