Recap: Canes Top West's Best

Analysis from Raleigh
→ Eleven.
That's how many consecutive home games in which the Carolina Hurricanes have now earned points, and they did so tonight by dispatching the Western Conference's top team, the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2. Jay McClement scored the game-winning goal, as the Canes improved to 10-0-1 in their last 11 home games.
"I thought it was a great atmosphere. It was almost like a playoff-type feel," Ward said. "It was a lot of fun to be able to hang on and get the win."
"The guys did a good job and found a way to get it done," head coach Bill Peters said. "I liked our start. They had a push back, as good teams do, and then a huge goal by J-Mac ends up being the game-winner."

→ Heading into the third period, the Hurricanes found themselves in familiar territory, up 2-1. Recall just two nights ago in Pittsburgh, the Canes held a 2-1 advantage over the Penguins heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation and left without a point, falling 3-2.
Tonight, the Hurricanes were able to stretch their lead to two goals early in the third period. Helped along by Sebastian Aho's strong play along the near boards, a loose puck popped out to Jay McClement in the slot. He wound, fired and scored to make it a 3-1 game.
"We did a lot of good things in Pittsburgh and were probably deserving of a better fate. You've just got to move on and take the positives out of that, and I thought we did," Ward said. "We put in an excellent first period, dictated the play and capitalized on our opportunities. Good teams find a way to push, and I thought they did in the second period. We competed right until the end."
→ It took just 65 seconds for the Hurricanes to not only erase the one-goal deficit but also take the lead.
Jordan Staal used his big frame to power toward the net, and Elias Lindholm crashed the crease to bang in the rebound for his second goal in as many games. Lindholm also now has points (2g, 2a) in three straight contests.
A minute later, it was former Blackhawk Teuvo Teravainen with the shot from along the near boards. Sebastian Aho redirected it, and Scott Darling kicked out a rebound right to Lee Stempniak, who also potted his second goal in as many games to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead.
"You see the little deflection by Aho that probably threw the goaltender off. He's making the save, but he can't control the rebound," Peters said. "It was a good job going hard to the net."

→ As has been the case much this season, Ward was again brilliant tonight, making big saves when the Hurricanes needed them most. Late in the first period, Ward preserved the Canes' 2-1 lead by turning away Vinnie Hinostroza's 2-on-1 scoring opportunity.
Down the stretch, Ward was solid, as was the group of five in front of him. The Blackhawks pulled Darling with about two minutes left to play, and with a 6-on-5 advantage, Chicago controlled the puck in the Canes' end. But the disciplined Canes collapsed and kept everything to the outside to hang on for the win.
"It got a little exciting there at the end," Ward said with a smile. "There's never an easy game. There are always going to be tight battles."
"I thought we stayed inside and blocked some shots," Peters said. "Guys did a good job doing what you're supposed to do: staying inside, trying to be big, block shots and be courageous."
Ward made 28 saves on the night to improve to 4-1-2 against the Blackhawks in his career.
And tomorrow night in Tampa Bay? Ward is ready if called upon.
"Yeah, man. I love playing," he said. "Whatever coach says, I'll do."
→ It was the Blackhawks who opened the scoring, as Jonathan Toews set up Michal Kempny for the one-time bomb at the top of the far circle, Kempny's first-career goal.
Chicago pulled within a goal in the third period, as it was again Toews making things happen. He shot one in past Ward off his teammate Hinostroza, who got credit for the goal.
→ Lindholm did not return to the bench for the third period, and the team announced that an upper-body injury prevented him from playing the balance of the contest. Peters did not have an additional update after the game.
Defenseman Matt Tennyson was a healthy scratch, as Klas Dahlbeck drew back into the lineup and paired with Ryan Murphy.
"[Tennyson] had a good skate today, a good video session with the coaches, and he'll get right back at it when it's his time to go back into the lineup," Peters said.
→ The Hurricanes are now off to Tampa Bay, where they will ring in 2017 with a match-up against the Lightning on Saturday night.
"We're enjoying it and having fun. It's exciting to come to the rink and play," Ward said. "We just want to build off this and continue it going forward."