10 observations: Blackhawks steal win from Hurricanes originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Blackhawks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Tuesday at the United Center.
Here are 10 observations from the win:
1. The Blackhawks certainly did not play their best after tying a season-low with 16 shots on goal, but they will happily take the two points after coming up empty during their weekend series against Nashville. Columbus also beat Tampa Bay in regulation, which made the two points even more valuable for the Blackhawks with 19 games left in the season.
2. Kevin Lankinen looked a little shaky to start and struggled with rebound control, but he settled down and was one of the reasons the Blackhawks weren't trailing early. He stopped the first 22 shots he faced and finished with 31 saves on 32 shots for a save percentage of .969. His only goal against went off Wyatt Kalynuk's knee and in.
3. The Blackhawks were extremely fortunate to get out of the first period in a 0-0 tie. It could have been a disaster if they didn't. The Hurricanes dominated in shot attempts (25-14), shots on goal (13-5), scoring chances (11-3) and high-danger chances (7-0), according to Natural Stat Trick.
4. After missing Sunday's game because of the birth of his child, Dylan Strome scored the first goal to put his team in front 1-0 just 29 seconds into the middle frame. Stick-tap to Mattias Janmark, who had the awareness to pick up the puck for Strome, who will presumably save it for his new baby girl.
5. Patrick Kane went into this game with eight points (three goals, five assists) in the first three contests against Carolina. He got on the scoresheet again with a primary assist on Alex DeBrincat's power-play goal, but it was his takeaway on Brett Pesce that was the highlight of the play.
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6. With the goal, DeBrincat tallied his 19th of the season in his 33rd game. He had 18 goals in 70 games last season, which means it took him only 37 games to surpass that total this season. Such an impressive bounce-back campaign for The Cat.
7. It was a very tight-checking third period. The Blackhawks and Hurricanes combined for only five shots on goal through the first 13 minutes and finished with 11 total. That's the kind of shutdown effort the Blackhawks' coaching staff likes to see when protecting a lead against one of the league's best teams.
8. The Blackhawks generated only three high-danger chances during 5-on-5 play, which is tied for their third-fewest in a game this season.
9. The Hurricanes rank No. 2 in the league with a faceoff win percentage of 54.0. The Blackhawks rank No. 27 with a win percentage of 46.7. The Blackhawks had a tough night at the dot, losing 41 of 64 draws for a win percentage of only 35.9. Jordan Staal won 13 straight faceoffs and finished 18 of 21 for Carolina. Kirby Dach lost all eight of his. Dylan Strome won seven of eight and led the way for Chicago.
10. Dougie Hamilton had his point streak snapped at 14 games. It's the longest point streak by a defenseman since Shayne Gostisbehere recorded at least one point in 15 straight games during the 2015-16 campaign.
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