Blackhawks vs Hurricanes Preview, Projected Lines
Tonight, the Chicago Blackhawks (28-36-14) play against the Carolina Hurricanes (50-22-6). Just looking at the records for each team, it’s clear this will be an uphill fight for Chicago. The Hurricanes have clinched 1st place in the Eastern Conference, and are the 2nd-best team in the NHL. Carolina is not a team with superstars necessarily, but are well-coached and have a lot of depth. Sebastian Aho leads the team with 79 points, followed by Andrei Svechnikov (69), Seth Jervis (66), and Nikolaj Ehlers (65). Rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi is having a great season for Carolina; he has 30 wins in 37 starts. One important to note: it appears that Carolina is resting some key players as they gear up for the playoffs next week. Although this may help the Blachawks, the Hurricanes will still be a tough opponent.
Despite the result, Chicago played a very fun tight against San Jose. Anton Frondell had a couple great chances, but couldn’t convert. He did get an assist on the Frank Nazar goal, for a total 6 points in 8 games. Speaking of Nazar, he had a goal and an assist as well. He now has 41 points in 62 games. That translates to around 56 points over a full 82-game season. Personally, I think Nazar can potentially reach the 70 point mark next season.
Connor Bedard recorded his 200th career point against the Sharks, with an assist on the Ryan Donato goal. He now has 72 points on the season in 65 games. Although he has 5 points in 5 games (including a 3-game point streak), he has not scored March 26th against the Flyers. He is generating chances but is a little snakebitten.
One big key for the Blackhawks recently has been their Power Play; Nazar scored on the PP and Donato scored after one had just ended. On the Blackhawks’ 2nd PP, Frondell ripped 6 one-timers (hit the post on the last one). It appears that Head Coach Jeff Blashill will keep the 5-forward setup for PP1 going forward, saying that "I’d have to be crazy not to. I have no issue with five forwards. It doesn’t matter if it’s a forward or D back there; that doesn’t dictate whether or not you give up shorthanded chances…that it does is get the puck a lot in Bedsy’s hands, and he’s the guy you want with the puck in his hands."
Photo by: Chicago Blackhawks
Projected Lines:
Teravainen-Bedard-Lardis
Bertuzzi-Frondell-Mikheyev
Donato-Nazar-Burakovsky
Mangiapane-Greene-Slaggert
Kaiser-Rinzel
Vlasic-Crevier
Korchinski-Del Mastro
Knight
Andre Burakovsky was scratched in San Jose, but appears to be coming back into the lineup; Sacha Boisvert might be scratched instead. Considering there are only 4 games left (including tonight), there might be a revolving door in terms of who gets in. Oliver Moore, who has not played since March 8th, could potentially return to the lineup as well. The Blackhawks will finish their remaining games at the United Center; Blashill said that the goal is to show “how good we can be and how good we will be."
