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Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Victory Against the Chicago Blackhawks

By Justin Hollingsworth

RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 26: Warren Foegele #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles for a puck behind the net with Zack Smith #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks during an NHL game on October 26, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 26: Warren Foegele #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles for a puck behind the net with Zack Smith #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks during an NHL game on October 26, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 26: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 26, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 26: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 26, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Shutdown Chicago’s Top Players

When it comes to the Blackhawks, they have many players that have been around for a while. They have a handful of players that were on their roster when they won their Stanley Cups not too long ago. With their mix of seasoned veterans and youth, they can be a tough team to face. The most important thing is shutting down their top players.

One of the best players in the game right now (and arguably one of the best Americans to ever play in the NHL) is Patrick Kane. So far this season, he has 11 goals and 15 assists. In his career, he has 367 goals and 597 assists, just shy of a thousand points. Last season, he had 110 points(!) and tore through the season, even with a Chicago team that was not very good.

Someone who isn’t having the best start to the season, but should always be one of the focuses is Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks captain currently has four goals and seven assists so far this season. In his career, he has 331 goals and 435 assists, good for 766 points. While he hasn’t been as dangerous as he has been in past seasons, Toews is a gifted forward that Carolina would be wise to defend well.

One of the young players that is already having a big impact for the team is Alex DeBrincat. He currently has 5 goals and 11 assists so far this season. In DeBrincat’s 184 games played, he’s registered 74 goals and 70 assists. This kid is really good and will play a big part in the future that Chicago is currently building.

I feel like I should give a special nod to the youngest player on the Blackhawks roster, Kirby Dach. Dach was drafted 3rd overall in last years draft and has immediately fit right in with Chicago, posting five goals and four assists in the 14 games he has played so far. Last night against the Sabres, he had a two goal night and helped lead Chicago to a 4-1 victory.

If Carolina hopes to keep their winning streak alive, they’re going to have to play these guys tough. This is where the defense will have to have a big night, helping to shut down the players I mentioned above. Doing so will help a lot in minimizing chances and making victory so much more attainable.

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