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The Chicago Blackhawks (4-12-1) conclude a three-game road swing on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes (13-3-2) at Lenovo Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, with the game airing on CHSN.
This marks the second and final regular-season encounter between the clubs in 2026-27. In the first meeting on Oct. 10 at the United Center, Carolina skated away with a 5-2 victory. Mark Jankowski, Sebastian Aho (power play), Jackson Blake, Taylor Hall, and Jordan Martinook found the net for the Hurricanes, while Roman Kantserov and Oliver Moore replied for Chicago. Brandon Bussi made 24 saves on 26 shots to earn the win, while Spencer Knight surrendered five goals on 39 shots in the loss.
Chicago enters the contest mired in a five-game losing streak and has dropped eight of nine since Oct. 17. Most recently, the Blackhawks fell 4-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, dropping their road record to 0-7-1 in eight games. Kantserov scored the lone goal with 48.1 seconds remaining, extending his point streak to seven games. Arvid Soderblom allowed four goals on 35 shots.
With just nine points in 17 games, the Blackhawks are one of two NHL teams with a sub-.300 points percentage, alongside the Vancouver Canucks. Chicago and Vancouver are also tied for the league's worst goal differential at minus-30. If the Blackhawks cannot end their skid on Saturday—a distinct possibility—substantial changes could follow when the team returns home. Even a win against the Hurricanes might not prevent such moves at this point. The matchup in Carolina could be the final one for the current group of players and coaches.
The Hurricanes are coming off a 5-3 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday and have gone 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Logan Stankoven, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Andrei Svechnikov, William Carrier, and Jalen Chatfield (empty net) scored in the victory, while Bussi stopped 24 of 27 shots. Since these teams last met nearly a month ago, Carolina has lost only three of 12 games, including just two in regulation. The Hurricanes boast an NHL-best 28 points and a .778 points percentage in 18 games this season. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour's squad is off and running in its quest to defend the Stanley Cup.
Key Analysis
Chicago's lineup will feature significant changes, particularly Frank Nazar moving from center to the wing on the second line with Anton Frondell and Oliver Moore. Ryan Greene shifts to third-line center alongside Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Donato, while Jordan Greenway returns to center the fourth line with Cole Smith and Dillon Boucher after being scratched in Tampa Bay. Andrew Mangiapane is the lone forward scratch. On defense, Kevin Korchinski replaces Ethan Del Mastro on the third pairing with Sam Rinzel, marking Korchinski's first action since Oct. 29 against Detroit. Bowen Byram (upper body) and Patrick Kane (upper body) remain out; Kane will miss his third straight game and Byram his 11th.
Carolina is expected to debut Alexander Nikishin on the third defensive pairing with Shayne Gostisbehere, replacing Juuso Valimaki. The Hurricanes' forward lines remain largely intact, with William Carrier, Sebastian Aho, and Andrei Svechnikov leading the top unit. Nicolas Deslauriers, Mike Reilly, and Juuso Valimaki are scratched, while Jordan Staal (calf) is out.
In goal, Spencer Knight (4-9-0, 3.34 GAA, .891 SV%, 0 SO) will make his 14th start for Chicago. In his last outing on Wednesday, the 25-year-old allowed four goals on 28 shots in a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers. Knight is 4-3-0 with a 2.98 GAA, .904 SV%, and two shutouts in seven career games against Carolina. Pyotr Kochetkov (10-1-0, 1.64 GAA, .922 SV%, 2 SO) will make his 12th start for the Hurricanes. In his last start on Tuesday, the 27-year-old surrendered three goals on 19 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators—his first loss of the season. Kochetkov is 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA, .937 SV%, and one shutout in three career games against Chicago.
Carolina has dominated the series since the start of 2021, winning 15 of 19 meetings, including the first matchup this season on Oct. 10 in Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks leaders: Goals—Roman Kantserov (8); Assists—Connor Bedard (8); Points—Connor Bedard (12). Team stats: GF/GP 2.18 (31st), GA/GP 3.94 (31st), PP% 9.8% (32nd), PK% 78.2% (15th), FOW% 42.2% (32nd).
Carolina Hurricanes leaders: Goals—Logan Stankoven (11); Assists—Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake (14); Points—Sebastian Aho (23). Team stats: GF/GP 3.83 (3rd), GA/GP 2.33 (3rd), PP% 22.6% (12th), PK% 85.0% (7th), FOW% 49.5% (18th).
Game info: Chicago Blackhawks (4-12-1, 9 points) at Carolina Hurricanes (13-3-2, 28 points), 7:00 p.m. CT, Lenovo Center. Head coaches: Jeff Blashill (CHI), Rod Brind'Amour (CAR). TV/Stream: CHSN (Ball/Pang), CARNHL, HHN. Radio: WGN 720AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd).
Blackhawks upcoming schedule: Thu, Nov. 12 vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7:00 p.m. CT; Sat, Nov. 14 vs. Winnipeg Jets, 2:30 p.m. CT; Tue, Nov. 17 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 6:30 p.m. CT; Thu, Nov. 19 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 7:00 p.m. CT; Sat, Nov. 21 @ Calgary Flames, 2:30 p.m. CT.
Originally reported by yahoo.