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The Hurricanes will open the month of April looking to achieve a split in this two-game set in Chicago against the Blackhawks following a frustrating 2-1 loss Tuesday.
Carolina enjoyed an excellent month of March, losing just twice in regulation and going 10-2-2 despite not having Vincent Trocheck for eight games and only having Teuvo Teravainen for one of them. Trocheck returned to the Hurricanes’ lineup in Tuesday’s game.
This will be the Canes’ last road game for a hot minute; after this it’s eight straight at PNC Arena as Carolina looks to make a push for the top spot in the Central Division.
Let’s take a look at how the Hurricanes and Blackhawks match up:
Vital Statistics
| Category | Hurricanes | Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Hurricanes | Bruins |
| Record | 54-20-8 | 51-26-5 |
| Goals/Game | 3.38 | 3.08 |
| Goals Against/Game | 2.44 | 2.66 |
| Shots/Game | 34.12 | 36.12 |
| Face Off Win % | 53.9% | 54.2% |
| Power Play % (Rank) | 22.0% (13th) | 21.2% (15th) |
| Penalty Kill % (Rank) | 88.0% (1st) | 81.3% (9th) |
| ES Corsi For % | 43.86% | 56.14% |
| ES PDO | 113.44 | 86.56 |
| PIM/Game | 12:00 | 22:00 |
Goaltender #1
| Category | Frederik Andersen | Linus Ullmark |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Frederik Andersen | Linus Ullmark |
| Record | 35-14-3 | 26-10-2 |
| Save % | .922 | .917 |
| GAA | 2.17 | 2.45 |
Goaltender #2
| Category | Alex Nedeljkovic | Chris Driedger |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Alex Nedeljkovic | Chris Driedger |
| Record | 12-4-2 | 12-5-3 |
| Save % | .933 | .927 |
| GAA | 1.87 | 2.09 |
Game Notes
- The Hurricanes have lost their last two games in Chicago, they also lost 6-4 there on Feb. 4.
- Trocheck made his return to the lineup for the first time after an eight-game absence and was noticeable on every shift; Rod Brind’Amour called him the team’s best player in the game. Trocheck recorded an assist in that game, and while it’s technically not a “streak” with the games missed, he’s recorded at least a point in each of his last seven games played, with four goals and nine points in that span.
- With Alex Nedeljkovic taking the loss on Monday, Brind’Amour will likely go back to James Reimer in net for this one. Reimer is 2-1-0 with a .855 save percentage and 3.59 goals-against average in three starts against Chicago this season.
- Dougie Hamilton’s point streak ended at 14 games Monday, but he still remains one twine tickler away from a milestone: His next goal will be his 100th in the NHL.
- There’s no doubt Patrick Kane is a dangerous player and he’s been on a tear of late, extending his point streak to five games with an assist against the Hurricanes on Monday. He sits third in the league with 49 points this season.
- Kevin Lankinen, who stymied the Hurricanes Monday in net for Chicago, has also been on a roll of late with a 3-1-0 record, one shutout, .958 save percentage and 1.52 goals-against average in his last four games.