The Chicago Blackhawks (20-22-7) hit the road for just the third time in the New Year and face off with the Carolina Hurricanes (31-15-4) at Lenovo Center on Thursday. It’s the first of two meetings between the Blackhawks and Hurricanes in the 2025-26 season.
Last time out, the Blackhawks snapped a three-game losing skid with a 2-0 win over Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets at the United Center. Spencer Knight spoiled Toews’ homecoming festivities with his third shutout of the season, stopping all 32 shots faced for his 14th win of 2025-26. Jason Dickinson and Connor Bedard (EN) were the goal scorers in the game for Chicago. It was Bedard’s first goal since returning from a shoulder injury. Alex Vlasic also recorded two assists and led all club skaters with 22:01 of ice time in the win.
With 47 points through 49 games this season, the Blackhawks currently sit six points back of the Seattle Kraken final wildcard playoff spot in the Western Conference. The San Jose Sharks (53 points), Los Angeles Kings (53 points), and Nashville Predators (50 points) are the three teams ahead of Chicago that are also on the outside of the playoff picture.
The Hurricanes are coming off a a 2-1 home win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, moving their record to 7-3-1 in 11 games in 2026. Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis (PPG, GWG) were the two goal scorers in the game for Carolina. Brandon Bussi stopped 17 of 18 shots faced to record his 18th win of the season.
Carolina currently has the third-best points percentage (.660) in the NHL and sits in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 66 points through 50 games. They are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings for the most points of any team in the Eastern Conference.
Here’s everything to note before the puck drops at 6:00 p.m. CT in Carolina.
Blackhawks Regular Season Notes (Last Five Games)
Without Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom, Drew Commesso filled in for the second time in as many nights and had a career performance. Commesso stopped all 36 shots faced for his first NHL shutout, which moved the Blackhawks to 5-1-1 in 2026 after a 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators.
Just when it seemed like the Blackhawks were getting back to full health, Connor Bedard was the latest player to fall victim to the illness that’s been going around the team. Bedard was a late scratch and missed the matchup with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, which ended with a 4-1 loss for Chicago.
Connor Bedard was back (again), but the Blackhawks’ offense still struggled mightily against the Calgary Flames. The special-teams department also had a rare off-night, giving up a power-play goal and a short-handed tally in a 3-1 loss.
The Blackhawks raced out to a 2-0 lead, only to surrender five unanswered goals for a third consecutive loss. The Boston Bruins spoiled Chicago’s celebration of “The Banner Years”, as several former Stanley Cup champions were in attendance to witness the 5-2 defeat.
It was a night to remember at the United Center, with Jonathan Toews returning for his first game in the building as a visitor. Toews’ homecoming party was spoiled by Spencer Knight, who stopped all 32 shots faced to record his third shutout of the season. Knight carried the Blackhawks to a 2-0 win over Winnipeg, which also put an end to the three-game losing skid.
Blackhawks Projected Lineup
Forward Lines
Ryan Greene — Connor Bedard – Andre Burakovsky
Ryan Donato — Frank Nazar — Tyler Bertuzzi
Nick Foligno — Jason Dickinson — Ilya Mikheyev
Landon Slaggert — Oliver Moore — Nick Lardis
Defensive Pairings
Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier
Wyatt Kaiser-Artyom Levshunov
Matt Grzelcyk-Connor Murphy
Scratched
F — Colton Dach, F — Sam Lafferty
Injured
F — Teuvo Teravainen (upper body)
***
After missing the last 14 games with a jaw injury, Frank Nazar is set to make his return to the lineup in Carolina. Nazar, who’s tallied 21 points (6G, 15A) in 33 games this season, will center the Blackhawks’ second line with Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi on Thursday. It’s his first game since Dec. 20.
Andre Burakovsky also draws back into the lineup after missing Monday’s 2-0 win over Winnipeg due to an illness. Burakovsky returns to the top line with Connor Bedard and Ryan Greene.
For just the second time in the team’s opening 50 games, Colton Dach is set to be a healthy scratch against the Hurricanes. Landon Slaggert will skate with rookies Oliver Moore and Nick Lardis for the second consecutive contest.
Hurricanes Projected Lineup
Forward Lines
Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall — Logan Stankoven — Jackson Blake
Nikolaj Ehlers — Jordan Staal — Jordan Martinook
Eric Robinson — Mark Jankowski — Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Defensive Pairings
Jaccob Slavin-Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller-Sean Walker
Mike Reilly-Alexander Nikishin
Scratched
F — William Carrier, D — Mike Reilly
Injured
F — William Carrier (undisclosed), D — Shayne Gostisbehere (illness), G — Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body), F — Noah Philp (concussion)
Projected Goaltending Matchup
Spencer Knight (14-13-6, 2.53 GAA, .913 Sv%, 3 SO) vs. Brandon Bussi (18-3-1, 2.20 GAA, .906 Sv%, 1 SO)
Knight is expected to make his 34th start of the season for the Blackhawks. The 24-year-old stopped all 32 shots faced to record his third shutout of 2025-26 in his last start on Monday. Knight is 3-1-0 with a 1.50 GAA, .952 Sv%, and two shutouts in four career games against Carolina.
Bussi is expected to make his 23rd start of the season for Carolina. The 27-year-old netminder stopped 17 of 18 shots faced to earn the win over Buffalo in his most recent start on Monday. Bussi has yet to face Chicago in his NHL career.
2024-25 Results vs. Hurricanes
Carolina won both meetings in the 2024-25 season and has dominated Chicago over the last eight years. Dating back to the start of 2018, the Hurricanes are 18-2-1 in the last 21 matchups with the Blackhawks. Chicago has just one win in their last 10 appearances at Lenovo Center.
01/20/25 — 4-3 OTL, United Center
01/30/25 — 3-2 L, Lenovo Center
2025-26 Team Stats & Leaders
Chicago Blackhawks:
Goals — Tyler Bertuzzi (24)
Assists — Connor Bedard (28)
Points — Connor Bedard (48)
GF/GP — 2.71 (26th)
GA/GP — 3.08 (18th)
PP% — 21.6% (13th)
PK% — 84.6% (2nd)
FOW% — 47.4% (26th)
Carolina Hurricanes:
Goals — Seth Jarvis (22)
Assists — Sebastian Aho (35)
Points — Sebastian Aho (52)
GF/GP — 3.38 (4th)
GA/GP — 2.86 (8th)
PP% — 21.9% (12th)
PK% — 79.6% (16th)
FOW% — 50.5% (14th)
How To Watch, Listen, & Game Info
Chicago Blackhawks (20-22-7, 47 points) @ Carolina Hurricanes (31-15-4, 66 points)
6:00 p.m. CT — Lenovo Center
Head Coaches: Jeff Blashill (CHI), Rod Brind’Amour (CAR)
TV/Stream: ESPN+ (Wischusen/Weekes), HULU, SN1
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)
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