PREVIEW: Blackhawks vs. Hurricanes - Feb. 4, 2021

TIME: 7 p.m. CT
TV:NBCSCH | RADIO:WGN 720-AM / TUDN 1200-AM | STREAM:
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Chicago closes out a four-game homestand with a second straight tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night at the United Center.

TEAM RECORDS

CHI: 3-4-4, 10 PTS
CAR: 6-1-0, 12 PTS

LAST TIME OUT

Chicago fought back from two- and one-goal deficits on Tuesday night to force overtime with Carolina, eventually falling in a shootout at the United Center. Philipp Kurashev, Patrick Kane and Dylan Strome all tallied on the night while Kevin Lankinen stopped a season-high 38 shots against in the extra-time loss. Andrei Svechnikov, Warren Foegele and Vincent Trocheck scored in regulation for the Hurricanes and Svechnikov scored the lone tally in the shootout for the win.

SET POINT

After dropping the first three games of the season by multi-goal margins, the Blackhawks have picked up at least a point in seven of their last eight games (3-1-4 record). Chicago has suffered two overtime defeats and two shootout defeats in that span, including Tuesday's meeting against Carolina.

CLIMBING THE RANKS

With a goal against Carolina on Tuesday, Patrick Kane recorded his 1,033rd career point, matching Doug Weight for sixth place on the NHL's all-time scoring list among U.S.-born players. Joe Mullen is next on the list with 1,063 career points (502G, 561A). The Buffalo, New York native has a point (2G, 2A) in three consecutive contests.
Kane is six goals away from becoming the fourth Blackhawks player in franchise history to record 400 goals with the club. He can become the 10th active NHL player, 10th US-born player and the 100th NHLer to hit the 400-goal mark.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT

Connor Murphy blocked a season-high six shots against the Hurricanes on Tuesday. It was the ninth time in his career he has had six or more blocked shots in a game. His 26 blocks during the 2020-21 campaign are second in the league.

LEADING LANKINEN

Kevin Lankinen has allowed two goals or fewer in five of his last six outings. His .935 save percentage leads the league and his 2.09 goals-against average is third among goalies who have made at least five appearances. He stopped a career-high 41 shots on Jan. 29 in Nashville.
The rookie has started seven of the last eight outings for the Blackhawks.

RISING ROOKS

Pius Suter and Philipp Kurashev share the NHL lead among rookies with four goals this season. Suter shares third with six points and Kurashev is sixth with five points among first-year players. Both players have points in two consecutive games.