Blackhawks begin tough stretch against first-place Hurricanes

Chicago Blackhawks (20-22-7, 47 pts) @ Carolina Hurricanes (31-15-3, 65 pts)
6 pm CT – Lenovo Center
TV: ESPN+ (Wischusen/Weekes)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks start a tough stretch of games with the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. After playing the Metro Division-leading Hurricanes, they come home to host the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow, whose 14-game point streak has them in the lead of the Atlantic Division. From there, they will play the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The stretch concludes on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, who have the fifth-most points in the NHL.

Hurricanes are doing their thing again this season. They have a deep and balanced offensive attack and play the solid defense that head coach Rod Brind’Amour demands. They are second in the NHL in shots on goal while allowing the fewest per game. They have found a gem in young goaltender Brandon Bussi, as this might be the most complete team they’ve had in Raleigh over the past few seasons.

The Blackhawks haven’t won in Carolina since they beat the Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime on May 6, 2021, back when these two teams were in the same division during the strange COVID season. The Hurricanes are 11-0-1 in their last 12 games versus the Blackhawks and 18-2-1 since 2018.

Frank Nazar Returns

The Blackhawks' lineup is getting a big boost tonight as Frank Nazar will play his first game since Dec. 20. He will be sporting a new chin guard on his helmet to protect his healing jaw. He’ll be back on a line with Tyler Bertuzzi, with whom he’s built great chemistry in his young career.

“Honestly, I think it’s his execution,” Nazar said of his linemate. “His wall play is just so good. He always finds his feet, and he gets to those dirty areas. Hopefully, we can build that chemistry and find a few good plays.”

Ryan Donato was added to this duo, as head coach Jeff Blashill looks to get more offense out of him. It’s been a rough season for the veteran winger, whose offensive production has taken a big dip. In his defense, he’s been relied upon to play numerous roles this season, moving up and down the lineup. Some stability with two offensive players could help get his numbers up. Donato has a goal and three points in his last three games against the Hurricanes.

“Kid Line” Looks to Stay Tenacious

Landon Slaggert has made the most of his opportunity since being recalled from the Rockford IceHogs on Dec. 27. Tonight will be his second game playing with Oliver Moore and Nick Lardis. This trio has a 58.82 Coris for percentage (CF%) in their limited time together.

“All three of them can skate,” Blashill said. “There’s a lot of tenacity on the line, certainly when you add Slaggs, he gives you some of that tenacity, some disruption on the forecheck, ability to get to the net and be a net-front presence guy. Not that the other two aren’t asked to share some of that responsibility, but it’s nice when you can have a line where you have a guy who’s a net-front presence guy. It’s just more natural for that to happen. Again, they’ve kind of had some chemistry, and hopefully they can continue to build it.”

Knight in Shining Armor

If the Blackhawks want to end the Hurricanes’ recent dominance against them, Spencer Knight will play a big role. He’s coming off his third shutout of the season, after making 32 saves against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday.

Knight has been sensational versus Carolina in his career. In his four starts against them with the Florida Panthers, he is 3-1-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average (GAA), .952 save percentage (SV%), and two shutouts.

Season Series

1/22 @ CAR
4/9 vs CAR

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Tyler Bertuzzi (24)
A-Connor Bedard (28)
P-Bedard (48)
PPG-Bertuzzi (9)
GWG-Bedard/Bertuzzi (3)
SOG-Bedard (122)
PIM-Colton Dach (45)

Hurricanes Team Leaders

G-Seth Jarvis (22)
A-Sebastian Aho (35)
P-Aho (52)
PPG-Nikolaj Ehlers/Andrei Svechnikov (5)
GWG-Jarvis (5)
SOG-Svechnikov (138)
PIM-Sean Walker (39)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.71 (26th)
GA/G-3.08 (18th)
PP%-21.6 (13th)
PK%-84.6 (2nd)
SOG/G-25.2 (31st)
SA/G-29.6 (26th)
FO%-47.4 (26th)
PIM/G-10:03 (24th)

Hurricanes Team Stats

GF/G-3.38 (4th)
GA/G-2.86 (8th)
PP%-21.9 (12th)
PK%-79.6 (16th)
SOG/G-32.4 (2nd)
SA/G-24.1 (1st)
FO%-50.5 (14th)
PIM/G-8:00 (12th)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Andre Burakovsky
Ryan Donato-Frank Nazar-Tyler Bertuzzi
Landon Slaggert-Oliver Moore-Nick Lardis
Nick Foligno-Jason Dickinson-Ilya Mikheyev

Defensemen
Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier
Wyatt Kaiser-Artyom Levshunov
Matt Grzelcyk-Connor Murphy

Scratched
F-Sam Lafferty, F-Colton Dach

Injured
F-Teuvo Teravainen (upper body)

Hurricanes Probable Lines

Forwards
Andrei Svechnikov-Sebastian Aho-Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall-Logan Stankoven-Jackson Blake
Nikolaj Ehlers-Jordan Staal-Jordan Martinhook
Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Mark Jankowski-William Carrier

Defensemen
Jaccob Slavin-Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller-Sean Walker
Alexander Nikishin-Joel Nystrom

Scratched
D-Mike Reilly

Injured
D-Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body), G-Pyotr Kochetkov (hip), D-Charles-Alexis Legault (hand), F-Noah Philp (concussion), F-Eric Robinson (upper body)

Goaltending Matchup

Spencer Knight (14-13-6, 2.53 GAA, .913 SV%, 3 SO) vs Frederik Andersen (7-10-3, 3.25 GAA, .869 SV%, 0 SO)