The Carolina Hurricanes have used a balanced offensive attack to build the NHL’s best record entering Saturday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Raleigh, N.C.
The Hurricanes have won five of their last six games.
“We’re not going to play great every night, but there’s a certain way that you’ve got to play to win,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We eventually got to it (Thursday night vs. the New York Islanders). It’s a tough, tough league. You’ve got to be on your toes every night, or you don’t win.”
The Blackhawks have lost five straight and eight of their last nine. They dropped a 4-1 decision in Tampa Bay on Thursday.
“Momentum matters,” Chicago coach Jeff Blashill said. “I don’t know fragile or not, but it’s just momentum. It’s another kind of barrier as you try to win.”
Chicago will be the second consecutive visiting team to arrive in Raleigh on a lengthy skid. Carolina handed Winnipeg its ninth straight loss with a 7-0 victory Sunday.
Forward Sebastian Aho has 23 points in 18 games for Carolina, while Logan Stankoven tops the team with 11 goals. Jackson Blake has a career-high eight-game points streak.
The Hurricanes had veteran forward Taylor Hall back in action after a nine-game absence when they defeated the host New York Islanders 5-3 on Thursday night. William Carrier provided the game-winning goal with his first of the season.
Carolina’s offense is bound to be a challenge for the Blackhawks, who’ve surrendered at least four goals in their past five games.
“The effort is there,” Chicago center Ryan Donato said. “Guys are working.”
After falling 4-1 at Nashville on Tuesday, the Hurricanes scored on two of their first three shots vs. the Islanders, but twice surrendered leads before pulling away.
“We were playing kind of loosey-goosey,” Brind’Amour said. “We kind of figured it out. We had to get a little hungrier. Get a little hunger to our game.”
In the game vs. the Islanders, goalie Brandon Bussi made his first start since Oct. 22. Pyotr Kochetkov could return Saturday after his season-opening 10-game winning streak ended with Tuesday’s setback.
Chicago rookie forward Roman Kantserov has a seven-game points streak. His eight goals this season put him atop that list for NHL rookies.
“He’s a guy that does go to the net,” Blashill said. “He’s a smart player.”
Spencer Knight could return in goal for Chicago after sitting out Thursday’s loss. Knight has been in net for all four Blackhawks victories this season.
“I feel like it’s going to come,” Blashill said, noting that inconsistent offense has been difficult to overcome.
Chicago will conclude a three-game road trip Saturday before opening a four-game homestand.
This marks Carolina’s final game before heading to Finland for games against the Seattle Kraken on Nov. 12 and Nov. 14 as part of the NHL Global Series.