The Carolina Hurricanes are doing everything they can to show that the Cup Hangover isn't affecting them at all. They might've gotten off to a slow start, but they've won three in a row, including an emphatic win on home ice on Thursday. Logan Stankoven notched his first NHL hat trick, and Sean Walker recorded his first four-point game to pace a 7-2 spanking of the Vancouver Canucks.
Carolina's offense has found its groove over its last two games, combining for 13 goals in wins over Montreal and Vancouver. It's not just one line doing it either. Three of the four groups have scored at even strength, the power play is humming after a 3-for-3 performance on Thursday, and the penalty kill got in on the fun against the Canucks with Stankoven's short-handed marker.
The Hurricanes and the Blackhawks split the season series a year ago, with the road team emerging victorious during both collisions. Carolina overcame a trio of one-goal deficits to force overtime before Chicago prevailed in a shootout in January. At the end of the year, the Canes kicked off their season-ending road trip by stomping the Blackhawks in their barn, 7-2, while resting some regulars.
Behind Enemy Lines: Chicago Blackhawks
At some point, the Blackhawks' rebuild will finish, and it'll be glorious. They've missed the playoffs six years in a row, and they've finished in the cellar of the Central Division for the last four. However, it feels like that time won't be this year, especially without their top player to begin the season. Their slower start hasn't helped matters.
The Blackhawks turned a lot of heads at the draft when they traded the 4th pick as part of a package to acquire defenseman Bowen Byram. Then, they gave him a six-year, $75 million contract. Many jokes were made at Kyle Davidson's expense. Connor Bedard got paid, too, inking a five-year extension that pays him $15 million. He was also named the captain, though he's on the shelf.
The start hasn't been very inspiring, entering tonight's contest at 1-4-0 after a 4-1 loss to the Islanders on Thursday. Byram has yet to record a point. Frank Nazar is the only player with more than one goal, and he was suspended for two games after a bad hit on Bo Horvat late in Thursday's loss. Spencer Knight is doing what he can to keep the team in the fight, but he's not getting much help.
Injury Report
Carolina: Seth Jarvis took his next big step in recovery from offseason shoulder surgery on Thursday, shedding his no-contact sweater for a regular one at the morning skate. While we don't have an estimated return date, nor are the Canes trying to rush him back, it's a great sign for the team as they start to catch fire.
Chicago: Connor Bedard's absence remains a huge void for the Blackhawks to fill. He's yet to play this season after an injury during an offseason training session. Chicago's forward group is also down Andrew Mangiapane, who was placed on IR this week as well, and former Hurricane Teuvo Teravainen, after he left the game on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury.
Players to Watch
Anton Frondell: When the Canes visited Chicago in April, not much went right for the Blackhawks. One small glimmer of light was Frondell, who scored both of Chicago's goals in the loss. While things haven't been smooth to begin the season for most of the team, Frondell currently paces them with four points, including a goal and an assist in their only win of the season on Tuesday.
Patrick Kane: Showtime is back in Chicago after quick detours with the Rangers and the Red Wings. Kane returned to the Blackhawks this summer on a two-year deal. While there's no doubt that the intention was for him to play with Bedard, we haven't gotten to see that yet. Kane scored Chicago's first goal of the season, but he has just one assist since then.
Jackson Blake: While Aho and Svechnikov have taken center stage to start the season, Blake has a four-game point streak going, too. He leads the team with five helpers, four of which have come on the man advantage. Both of his helpers on Thursday helped set up Svechnikov on the power play. Blake is due for a goal, especially after tying the game-high with five shots against the Canucks.
Mark Jankowski: Speaking of streaks, the fourth line has scored in back-to-back contests. After giving the Canes the lead in Montreal, Jankowski scored an underrated goal on Thursday, selling a pass to Robinson before catching the netminder with a snipe upstairs. He scored twice in Chicago at the end of last season. We might be looking at a three-game goal streak if we aren't careful.
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