Game #7 Preview: Hurricanes vs Blackhawks

 

Hurricanes (6-0-0) vs Blackhawks (0-5-2)


Amidst the turmoil of the recent investigations, the winless Blackhawks desperately need to turn their season around before it's too late. Coming off a rousing win against the Bruins, Carolina is looking to win their 7th straight to open the 2021-2022 campaign.


Previous Meeting

These two teams were division opponents and faced each other eight times last season. The previous game played between these two was May 6th, 2021. Chicago won in overtime by a score of 2-1. But Carolina won the season series against Chicago with a record of 5-2-1 in their eight matchups. 


Opposite ends of “Puck Luck” 

Chicago has an abysmal 20% in the Goals For category (21.33 points below their Expected Goals For %). Compared to Carolina, who has an astonishing 73.68% in Goals For (23.93 points above their Expected Goals For %) (Via MoneyPuck.Com). More than likely, these numbers will stabilize for both teams. But at the time being, they are on opposite sides of their “puck luck” this season.


Projected Lines

Svechnikov-Aho-Teravainen

Kotkaniemi-Trocheck-Necas

Niederreiter-Staal-Fast

Martinook-Stepan-Lorentz


Slavin-Bear

Skjei-Pesce

Cole-DeAngelo


Raanta

Andersen


Scratches: B. Smith, Jarvis


What the Analytics Predict

MoneyPuck.Com gives Carolina a 73.2% chance of winning tonight


Players to Watch

Anti Raanta is anticipated to make his first start for Carolina tonight. He has proven to be a good goaltender in the NHL when healthy, and Carolina is expecting him to give a quality start in replace of the resting Frederik Andersen, who has been fantastic up to this point of the season.


To be brutally honest. Seth Jones has been very underwhelming so far, especially considering the assets given up to get him, and the contract extension given to him. Jones has played well against Carolina in his career, he will need to be the player Chicago expected him to be for the Blackhawks to win tonight. And to get their season back on track. 


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