Hawks @ Hurricanes Preview

The Hawks (5-1-2) head off to Raleigh for a quick one night road trip on Friday night against the Carolina Hurricanes (3-3-3).  The Hawks are coming off a shootout win on Tuesday night against the Ducks that saw Patrick Kane get the shootout winner.  The Hawks were 0-2 in the shootout prior to Tuesday night.  The second line had a monster game and was all over the ice causing havoc on the Ducks highlighted by a highlight real Sports Center goal off a spin-o-rama no look pass by Patrick Kane onto the tape of Marian Hossa and into the back of the net.  Kane also added another assist with some nifty stick work along the boards and feed to Patrick Sharp that he blew by Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller.  Hossa had the goal but also hit two posts including one off a face off as time expired in overtime.  The penalty killing was great again as the Hawks killed 5 of 6 penalties and kept the Hawks in the game.  The Hawks have now killed 21 of 23 penalties and have added two shorthanded goals on the year.  The power play has been a different story and was blanked again against the Ducks going 0-3 on the man advantage.  The Hawks are now just 4 of 30 on the power play through 8 games.  Perhaps less passing, more traffic in front, and shooting should be in order for a power play that has looked to be a little too cute in the early going.  The Hawks will also look to shore up play in the defensive zone after having several miscues and sloppy passing against the Ducks.  The sloppy passing is becoming a theme and it needs to change.  The Hawks won the only game against the Hurricanes last season 5-2 at United Center.  Bryan Bickell, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Dave Bolland, and Ryan Johnson scored for the Hawks.  Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner tallied for the Hurricanes.  The Hurricanes are coming off a shootout loss to Ottawa on Monday night.  Jeff Skinner leads the way for Carolina with 4 goals, 6 assists for 10 points.  Carolina is 1-1-1 at home this season.  The Hawks are 2-1-0 on the road.  The game will be the first of back to back games for the Hawks who head home to face the lowly Blue Jackets on Saturday night.