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Blackhawks try to extend point streak with rare win at Carolina

Oct 28, 2011 - 2:54 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try extend their point streak with a win tonight, as they battle the struggling Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center.

Chicago opened the season with a regulation loss in Dallas, but has recorded a point in every game since, going 5-0-2 over that stretch. The Blackhawks also won for the third time in four games after Tuesday's shootout decision over the visiting Anaheim Ducks.

Patrick Kane netted the shootout winner to lift the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory over the Ducks. Kane slid a backhander through Jonas Hiller's pads to end the contest in the third round of the shootout.

Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp lit the lamp while Kane added two assists for the Blackhawks, who were able to post their first shootout win in three tries this season.

Corey Crawford made 29 saves in 65 minutes of action, then turned aside two of three chances in the shootout for the victory. Crawford stopped all 11 shots sent his way in the third period.

"It was another one of those back-and-forths," Crawford said. "I was focused in the third period. I was ready."

The Blackhawks are 2-1-0 as the road team this season and will aim for a third straight victory as the visitor tonight.

However, Chicago hasn't won in Raleigh since Feb. 26, 1998 when the Blackhawks visited the Hurricanes for the first time since the franchise moved from Hartford. Since that victory over 13 years ago, the Blackhawks have gone 0-5-0 with a tie in six trips to North Carolina.

The Blackhawks pounded the 'Canes, 5-2, in Chicago last season and have won two of the last three encounters between the teams.

Carolina will try to end a three-game slide tonight after losing Tuesday's 3-2 decision against visiting Ottawa. The setback dropped the Hurricanes to 0-1-2 since a three-game winning streak.

The Hurricanes lost in the shootout phase, but Paul Maurice's club did well to even get to that stage. Carolina was down 2-0 in the third period before Tuomo Ruutu put the 'Canes on the board with 4:52 left in regulation. Jeff Skinner added a power-play goal with 2:31 left to force a 2-2 and eventually send the game to overtime.

"Down 2-0 like that, especially with the amount of time left on the clock, and we were able to battle back," said Carolina defenseman Jamie McBain. "Just shows the character that we have in the room to never stop believing. One point is better than none."

Cam Ward made 26 saves for Carolina, marking the first time the goaltender had faced less than 30 shots in a game since Oct. 12 against Boston. Ward has three career games against the Blackhawks and is 2-0-1 with a 1.30 goals- against average and .963 save percentage in those outings.

Carolina played Tuesday without forward Anthony Stewart, who is questionable for tonight's tilt with a lower-body injury. Stewart has two goals in eight games this season.

The Hurricanes are 1-1-1 as the host this year and are completing a brief two- game homestand tonight. Carolina's next game is set for Saturday in Philadelphia, but after that, the 'Canes will head back to Raleigh for a three-game residency.