Raanta, Hurricanes beat Blackhawks 3-0 for 9th straight win
RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 27: Chicago Blackhawks Goalie Petr Mrazek (34) pokes the puck away from Carolina Hurricanes Defenceman Brady Skjei (76) during the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Carolina Hurricanes on December 27, 2022 at PNC Aren
RALEIGH, N.C. - Antti Raanta made 24 saves for his first shutout since March and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 on Tuesday night for their ninth consecutive victory.
Martin Necas, Jesper Fast and Jordan Martinook scored to help the Hurricanes extend their franchise-record points streak to 15 games.
Raanta, making his third consecutive start, had his 16th career shutout. He faced only seven shots in both the first and third periods.
The Blackhawks, who were aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time since late October, have lost nine of their last 10. They’ve been shut out in three of those defeats.
Chicago goalie Petr Mrazek made 46 saves against one of his former teams.
The Hurricanes put 23 shots on goal in the first period, a season high for any period. They scored twice in the opening nine minutes.
Necas battled for space in front of the net and was rewarded by getting enough stick on the puck to put it in the goal for his 15th of the season. He had 14 goals in 72 regular-season games a season ago.
Fast, who picked up his third goal in two games and fifth of the season, benefitted when the puck when in off Chicago defenseman Connor Murphy.
Martinook’s goal came at 4:55 of the third period shortly after Carolina’s power play expired.
ICE MATTERS
Paul Stastny picked up an assist on Carolina’s first goal. It came on his 37th birthday. He has played 11 games on his birthday in his NHL career, collecting seven points in those outings. … The Hurricanes hadn’t reached the 23-shot level in a first period since April 17, 2021, vs. Nashville.
UP NEXT
Blackhawks: At St. Louis on Thursday night.
Hurricanes: Host Florida on Friday night.