The Carolina Hurricanes (50-22-6) are on the road tonight to take on the Chicago Blackhawks (28-36-14) at 8:30 PM, two days after clinching the Metropolitan Division.
A 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday allowed the Canes to clinch the division with four games left to go, as the playoffs inch closer.
If the season were to end today, Carolina would face the Ottawa Senators in the first round, who are in a tight race for the second wild card spot. The Canes are 2-1 this season against the Senators,
but recently fell to them, 6-3, on Sunday.
Looking towards tonight’s game, the Blackhawks have once again struggled this season. They currently sit in last place in the Central Division and will be in play for a top pick once the NHL Draft rolls around.
In the last 10 games, Chicago sits at just 2-6-2 and have lost six of their last seven games.
On the bright side, the Blackhawks have a budding superstar in Connor Bedard, who is the team’s leading scorer with 72 points in 65 games this season. The former first overall pick has bounced back after a slightly disappointing sophomore campaign last year.
Outside of Bedard, Chicago doesn’t have much, though. Tyler Bertuzzi is second on the team with 56 points in 75 games, followed by Frank Nazar’s 41 points in 62 games.
Simply put, even taking into account a potential division-clinching hangover, the Canes should be in position to come out with a win.
Yesterday, the Canes recalled Skyler Brind’Amour, Bradly Nadeau, Josiah Slavin and Charles Alexis Legault from the AHL.
After leaving the game against the Bruins early on Tuesday, defenseman Jalen Chatfield is listed as day-to-day.
If the Canes continue alternating goalies, Frederik Andersen will be in line to get the start tonight.
Although Carolina has locked up the Metro, they are still in a three-way race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference with the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres are just two points back of the Canes, while the Lightning and Canadiens are each four points back.
A win tonight against a struggling Blackhawks squad would put the Canes one step closer to the top seed in the East.
Here’s how to catch the action:
Time: 8:30 PM
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network App/ESPN+
Radio: 99.9 The Fan
Odds: Hurricanes -210 Moneyline, Hurricanes -1.5 at +120
