The Carolina Hurricanes just wrapped up a grueling stretch of hockey - 11 games in 19 days - with a gritty 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday afternoon. It was the kind of game that felt like a playoff preview: physical, emotional, and tightly contested.
Andrei Svechnikov continued his torrid pace, scoring his fifth goal in just three games while adding an assist. Sebastian Aho, ever the catalyst, chipped in two helpers as the Canes gutted out a win in front of a fired-up home crowd at Lenovo Center.
Now, with the toughest part of their January schedule behind them, the Hurricanes have some breathing room. Just four games remain this month, and only seven more before the Olympic break.
That’s a much-needed window for rest and recovery - and it couldn’t come at a better time. Injuries have taken their toll, with depth players like Eric Robinson and Noah Philp working their way back.
But perhaps the most encouraging development is the resurgence of Jaccob Slavin. After battling through injuries earlier in the season, Slavin is starting to look like himself again, anchoring the blue line with poise and precision.
On the Other Side: Chicago Blackhawks
For the Blackhawks, this season continues to be about growth - and growing pains. The playoff drought has now stretched to five straight years, and while there was optimism early on under a new head coach, the momentum didn’t last.
Chicago was a surprising 10-5-4 through mid-November, but the wheels started to come off around Thanksgiving. A five-game skid turned into a prolonged slump, made worse when Connor Bedard went down with an injury in mid-December.
Since then, the Blackhawks have gone 10-17-3 over their last 30 games, sliding further down the standings. Still, there are bright spots that give fans reason to believe in the long-term vision.
Bedard, even with the injury setback, has been electric. He’s already tallied 20 goals and 48 points in just 36 games - a staggering pace for a teenager in his rookie campaign.
He made a strong case to represent Canada at the Olympics, but the injury likely closed that door. That said, his offensive production speaks for itself - Bedard is the real deal.
Another key piece of the rebuild is between the pipes. Spencer Knight, acquired in the Seth Jones trade, has been a stabilizing force.
His win-loss record might not jump off the page, but the numbers behind it tell a different story: a .913 save percentage and a 2.53 goals-against average. That’s the kind of goaltending that gives a young team a chance to stay competitive every night.
Looking Back: Last Season’s Matchups
When the Hurricanes and Blackhawks met twice last January, both games delivered drama. In Chicago, the Canes clawed back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits before Sebastian Aho sealed it in overtime with his fourth OT winner of the season.
Back in Raleigh, the Canes used a dominant second period to build a 3-1 lead, then held on for a 3-2 win. Seth Jarvis made his mark in both games with short-handed goals - a rare feat that speaks to his two-way impact.
Blackhawks Players to Watch
Tyler Bertuzzi: Even on a team near the bottom of the league in scoring, someone has to find the back of the net - and lately, that’s been Bertuzzi. He leads Chicago with 24 goals and sits second behind Bedard with 37 points.
He notched a hat trick earlier this month, but he’s gone cold over the last three games. Still, his ability to create offense in tight games makes him a player to keep an eye on.
Spencer Knight: There’s a bit of uncertainty here, as Chicago is in the first half of a back-to-back, and Knight may be saved for the Lightning tomorrow. But if he does get the nod tonight, history is on his side.
In four career starts against the Hurricanes - all during his time with the Panthers - Knight is 3-1-0 with a sparkling .950 save percentage and two shutouts. If he’s in net, Carolina will need to bring their A-game.
Hurricanes Players to Watch
Jordan Staal: The captain continues to be a steadying presence. He hit a major milestone last season, recording his 700th career point in his 1300th game with a clutch, game-tying goal in an overtime win. While he hasn’t scored in the last month, his playmaking has kept him productive - he’s now hit the 20-point mark for the 20th straight season, a testament to his consistency and leadership.
Frederik Andersen: All signs point to Andersen getting the start tonight, based on Thursday’s practice. And that’s good news for Carolina.
After going two months without a win, he’s turned things around lately, winning two of his last three starts. His performance against the Devils on Saturday was one of his best of the season - calm, composed, and clutch.
With the Olympic break on the horizon, Andersen is rounding into form at just the right time.
Bottom Line
The Hurricanes are coming out of a brutal stretch with momentum and a chance to recalibrate heading into February. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are still in the thick of a rebuild, but individual performances from players like Bedard, Bertuzzi, and Knight offer flashes of what’s to come. Tonight’s game may not have playoff implications, but it’s a chance to see two franchises at different stages - one sharpening for a postseason run, the other building toward a brighter future.