PREVIEW: Blackhawks at Hurricanes - May 4, 2021

TIME: 6 p.m. CT
TV:NBCSCH | RADIO:WGN 720-AM / TUDN 1200-AM | STREAM:
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The Blackhawks and Hurricanes complete a back-to-back set on Tuesday night in North Carolina in the second of three straight meetings agaisnt the Canes this week.

TEAM RECORDS

CHI: 22-24-6, 50 PTS
CAR: 35--10-7, 77 PTS

LAST TIME OUT

Chicago attempted another late-game rally, scoring twice while down 4-0 on Monday night in Carolina, but a late empty-netter sealed the 5-2 win for the home side as Carolina improved their first-place standing in the NHL. Ian Mitchell and Alex DeBrincat scored the two goals in the loss while Malcolm Subban and Collin Delia split the duties in net, the latter stopping all 19 shots faced in relief.

OUT OF CONTENTION

The Blackhawks were officially eliminated from playoff contention this season following Monday's defeat. With 50 points and four games to play, their 58 maximum point potential is not enough to overtake the Nashville Predators, who reached 60 points with an overtime win, in the fourth an final playoff spot.

BACK-TO-BACK

The Blackhawks dropped to 0-3-2 in the first outing of a back-to-back set this season with Monday night's loss, but will look to improve their 2-1-1 mark in the second half of the two-fer. Their only loss this season in the second game came on March 28 at home against Nashville in a 3-2 defeat.

KUB-ELITE

Dominik Kubalik extended his point streak (2G, 3A) to four games with two assists against Carolina last night. His 18 helpers this season top his total from a year ago when he recorded 16 in 68 games.
The Plzen, Czech Republic native has three multi-point games vs. Carolina this season and is second on the club with eight points (2G, 6A) against the Hurricanes.

ON THE PROWL

Alex DeBrincat extended his point streak (3G, 2A) to four games and his goal streak to three games with his 26th marker of the year on Monday. That goal total shares sixth in the NHL. DeBrincat is 17th in the league averaging 1.02 points per game.
Since he returned to the lineup on Feb. 2 after being removed from COVID-19 protocol, DeBrincat shares second in the league with 24 markers.

QUICK LEARNERS

Ian Mitchell picked up a point for the second consecutive game with a goal against the Hurricanes on Monday. It was his second marker in Carolina this season (Feb. 19) and Mitchell now shares third among first-year defensemen with three goals this year.
The Blackhawks have received goals from two or more rookies in a game 10 times this season. Pius Suter is fifth in the NHL among rookies this year with 13 markers and shares seventh among league rookies with 23 points.
Chicago leads the league lead with 38 goals and is second with 83 points from rookies this season.