The Blackhawks stormed back to pull even with the Hurricanes twice after being down 0-2 and 2-3 but allowed the game-winning goal with 29 seconds left in regulation after defensive lapses down low.

Even though Chicago didn't get to double digits in shots on goal until halfway through the game, shooting metrics were much closer than the last game. Yet, scoring chances were heavily in Carolina's favor.

With the loss, the Hawks remain tied with the Predators with 39 standing points apiece. However, Nashville maintains the edge to retain 4th place having 19 wins versus Chicago's 17 wins.

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Starting Lineup

The starting lineup stayed the same as the previous outing:

Blackhawks' lines in warmups:

DeBrincat-Suter-Kane
Kubalik-Kampf-Hagel
Janmark-Dach-Strome
Kurashev-Soderberg-Carpenter

Zadorov-Murphy
Keith-Boqvist
De Haan-Kalynuk

Lankinen

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 1, 2021

And the starters for the opening shift:

Let's get it started!@budlight | #CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/WrhitVGWRt

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2021

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Scoring Recap

1st Goal: Trocheck (0-1)

My Cousin Vinny pic.twitter.com/bgU3JmEDTg

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 2, 2021

Dougie Hamtilon sent a cross-ice pass to Vincent Trocheck who wired a shot from the left dot as he got help by Andrei Svechnikov interfering with Adam Boqvist which prevented him from making a play.

2nd Goal: Foegele (0-2)

It's been credited to Foegs!

A goal for the birthday boy! pic.twitter.com/QETba5gGdD

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 2, 2021

Duncak Keith and Boqvist attempted to defend Warren Foegele and Nino Niederreiter as the puck bounced around the net. The puck eventually deflected off of Keith and through Kevin Lankinen's legs.

3rd Goal: Kubalik (1-2)

Dominik Kubalik powers through the Hurricanes defense to bring the #Blackhawks within one!

What a setup by rookie Wyatt Kalynuk for his first NHL point 👀@NBCSChicago | #CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/INUuixvk0R

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2021

Wyatt Kalynuk picked up his first NHL point with an assist as he hit Dominik Kubalik with a stretch pass. Kubalik split 2 defenders but Jaccob Slavin knocked in the puck trying to defend the backhander.

4th Goal: Hagel (2-2)

Rookie Brandon Hagel making things interesting in Chicago!@NBCSChicago | #CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/8MNfnKIAUt

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2021

Kirby Dach won a few battles to win the puck, darted to the middle, and tried to feed Nikita Zadorov but the puck ricocheted off of a few Carolina players and onto Brandon Hagel's blade for the tally.

5th Goal: Foegele (2-3)

Petition to make every day Warren Foegele's birthday pic.twitter.com/2jLArYswlY

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 2, 2021

Kalynuk's clearing attempt caromed off the glass back into the middle of the zone that Jordan Staal jabbed to Niederreiter who sent the puck wide but again caromed off the end boards right to Foegele.

6th Goal: Strome (3-3)

Here's a tip:#CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/3ITwuN2Dfd

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2021

Mattias Janmark cycled the puck on his own down the left flank and moved the puck up to the point for Connor Murphy to unleash a shot that Dylan Strome deflected home as he parked in the high slot.

7th Goal: Fast (3-4)

Jesper in the 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒉 pic.twitter.com/qoCG2QccCT

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 2, 2021

After Trocheck sent a shot high, Pius Suter overskated his coverage of Jesper Fast who banged in the rebound from the slot as Keith made a futile attempt to defend with a stick check.

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Game Notes

FINAL: Hurricanes 4, #Blackhawks 3

Shot attempts: 52-44 CAR
Shots on goal: 31-25 CAR
5-on-5 scoring chances: 25-12 CAR
5-on-5 high danger chances: 15-8 CAR pic.twitter.com/BvdQ0Wwd1y

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 2, 2021

Double Coverage

The defensemen have a bad habit of both covering the puck carrier which means someone from the other team is open. There needs to be greater trust between partners in order to spread out coverage.

Zone Clears

Another bad habit by veterans Calvin de Haan, Murphy, and Keith is not clearing the puck with purpose and making errant passes. In comparison, the youngsters Boqvist, Kalynuk, and Zadorov are better.

Stationary Passes

Something else the Hawks are guilty of on breakouts is passing to stationary teammates which is easy for the opponent to telegraph and kill plays. Instead, forwards need to be moving targets.

Crease Crashing

On offensive rushes, there's not enough hard drives to the net and crease crashing. Stop with bunching up in the offensive zone or skating side by side expecting a drop pass. Stretch out the other team.

Leverage Teammates

Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and Dach especially need to stop trying to dance around the entire team as they carry the puck. Draw in defenders then dish the puck to an open teammate.

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Player Notes

Adam Boqvist

After being shoved around by Martin Necas, Boqvist jolted him with an elbow to the torso during a stoppage in play. That type of push back is great to see from a youngster who was ragdolled in the 2020 playoffs.

Dylan Strome

Since coming back from brief paternity leave, Strome has played much stronger during the Carolina series. He's been better at taking draws, getting after pucks, and using his vision to set up teammates.

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See you on the boards!

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