Chicago Blackhawks at Carolina Hurricanes: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

The Carolina Hurricanes enter tonight's game against the Chicago Blackhawks with a 10-game point streak and 7-0-3 record in their past 10 games. The Canes enter the game two points higher than both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers for the top position in the Central Division.

The Canes have just five games left, three of which come against the Blackhawks, and their final two come against the Nashville Predators. Tonight also marks the start of the Canes’ final back-to-back series. The Canes have gone 4-2-2 in the front half of back-to-backs thus far in the season

Both Florida teams have played at least one more game than Carolina, so the Canes still control their own destiny. According to The Athletic, the Canes still have a 93% chance to win the division but nothing can be taken for granted.

Game Notes:

• Tonight's game is the sixth matchup of the season for these two teams. The Canes have a record of 3-2-0 in their first five games of the season. They look to secure three more wins moving forward.
• With an assist in the last game, Sebastian Aho has extended his point streak to seven games. In those games, he has had three goals and nine assists. In his last 16 games, he has had five multi-point games and three game-winning goals.
• Alex Nedeljkovic’s assist on the game-winning goal two nights ago marked the first time since March 30, 2019 that a Canes goalie earned a point. His overtime assist was just the third such goalie assist in franchise history.
• Chicago was able to pot six goals against the Canes on February 4th. That is their second-highest offensive performance of the season. Patrick Kane recorded a season high, four-point in that game with one goal and three assists.

Reading Assignments;

• Rod Brind’Amour is prioritizing the contracts of the staff and coaches around him over his own deal. [SportsNet]

• The Vancouver Canucks place Jake Virtanen on leave following sexual misconduct allegations. [NBC Sports]
• Kings congratulate Ryan Miller on his final home game with the Anaheim Ducks. [NHL]