Joe (@pointshaving) and I (@stuckey2) put our heads together each morning to come up with our consensus play(s) of the day on the ice.

Thursday recap:

The Flyers came through for us by securing their fourteenth consecutive home regular season win over the Blackhawks, a streak that dates back to 1996. Philly's top line has been special so far this year.

Moving on to Saturday…

Hurricanes -130

The Carolina Hurricanes (6-5-1) have won two games in a row for only the second time this season. Last night, Cam Ward and Carolina suffocated the Columbus Blue Jackets in route to a 3-1 win. Tonight they will host the Chicago Blackhawks (7-7-2) at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Blackhawks will not be able to lean on Corey Crawford like they have all season as backup Anton Forsberg will get the call.  Meanwhile, Scott Darling (4-3-3, 2.35 GAA, .910 SV), former backup to Crawford, will take on his old team.

In his career, Scott Darling is 21-7-6 with a 2.07 GAA and .932 SV% in 37 appearances on home ice. While nearly all of those appearances came at the United Center, it would be unreasonable to expect some sort of drop-off in Carolina as they are one of the best in the business at limiting opponent's scoring chances against, trailing only the Nashville Predators in fewest scoring chances against.

Chicago will have their work cut out for them as they are dead-last in goals scored in November at a paltry 1.50 per game. Complicating matters for the Blackhawks will be how disciplined Carolina is as the Hurricanes have taken just 28 minor penalties in 12 games. The Blackhawks still feature star power, but their defense sports the third-worst xGA60 (2.72) at 5-on-5 in the National Hockey League.

Carolina owns a league-best +183 shot attempt differential, and while they did play last night in Columbus, this is a young and exciting team that will be thrilled to take on the Blackhawks. Look for Chicago's struggles to continue, as the Hurricanes pick up their third consecutive victory.

Fair Odds: Carolina -155

Others on the ice for Saturday:

Predators -137

YTD: 17-13-1 +3.35 units

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