Eventually falling to the Hurricanes by a score of 4-3, the Blackhawks failed to hold the lead twice in the game after going up 1-0 quickly in the 1st period then being up 3-1 until the opening minute of the 3rd.

The power play was futile as the Hawks came up empty after being awarded the man advantage 5 times including a 4-minute opportunity at the end of the 3rd which was overly sloppy in the quest to tie the game.

Marc-Andre Fleury didn't help himself or his team out with at least 2 goals that he should have had. On rookie Seth Jarvis' first career NHL goal, Fleury exposed too much five-hole to slip the puck through.

Then on the game-winning goal by Martin Necas, Fleury needed to clamp down tighter so the puck didn't trickle through him past the goal line. He knew it, too, as he displayed visible anger at himself afterward.

The game-tying goal 17 seconds into the 3rd was the result of the Chicago forwards not supporting the defensemen as Carolina had numbers not only driving to the net but also spread across the width of the O zone.

On the positive side, both of Alex DeBrincat's goals on the night were great examples of a team needing to pounce on the opponent's turnovers and misfortunes. When gifted scoring chances, competitive teams capitalize.

And while Erik Gustafsson had his obligatory mistakes, he played well the 2-on-1 in the 2nd as he didn't over commit to the shooter. He left his feet at the right time, not too early to take himself out of the play.

Bottom line, the Hawks began the game on a high note and kept up with the high-flying Canes. But as the minutes ticked by, fundamentals and focus degraded, the opponent usurped momentum, and the home team output ran dry.

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COVID Protocol

MEDICAL UPDATE: Forward Henrik Borgstrom has been removed from COVID-19 Protocol.

Forward Tyler Johnson and defenseman Isaak Phillips will not play in tonight’s game (COVID-19 Protocol).#Blackhawks

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 3, 2021

Newly entered into protocol:
* Tyler Johnson, Center
* Isaak Phillips, Defenseman

Still in protocol:
* None

Out of protocol:
* Henrik Borgstrom, Center

--

Game Summary

Battled tonight pic.twitter.com/9YaWs29GT8

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2021

Starting Lineup

Kubalik - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Kurashev - Hardman
Hagel - Toews - Carpenter
Khaira - Entwistle - R Johnson

de Haan - S Jones
Gustafsson - Murphy
Stillman - McCabe

Fleury
Lankinen

Scratches:
Borgstrom, Gaudette, Strome

Scoring Recap

1st Goal (1-0): DeBrincat (Kane, S Jones)
2nd Goal (1-1): Stepan (DeAngelo, Svechnikov)
3rd Goal (2-1): Kane (Stillman, Entwistle)
4th Goal (3-1): DeBrincat (Kurashev, Hardman)
5th Goal (3-2): Jarvis (Stepan)
6th Goal (3-3): Fast (Svechnikov, Slavin)
7th Goal (3-4): Necas (Aho, Bear)

SOG For/Against: 30/32
PP: 0-for-5
PK: 2-for-2
Faceoffs Won: 53%

FINAL: Hurricanes 4, #Blackhawks 3

Shot attempts: 67-57 CAR
Shots on goal: 32-30 CAR
5-on-5 scoring chances: 21-13 CAR
5-on-5 high danger chances: 7-5 CAR pic.twitter.com/pZ9vvd1vA4

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 4, 2021

Thoughts & Notes

* Riley Stillman had a solid first game back from COVID protocol as he compiled stops, pins, and hits while also eagerly showing off his physicality by throwing his weight around.

* Kirby Dach got plenty of puck touches all game but still needs to work on converting these opportunities into scoring productivity whether setting up teammates or taking shots himself.

Highlights

Goal by Patrick Kane

a goal from #88 for your timeline 😌 pic.twitter.com/korPGsZxfc

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2021

Goal by Alex DeBrincat (1st of 2)

a cat in his natural habitat pic.twitter.com/LRnbrZ8YC6

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2021

Goal by Alex DeBrincat (2nd of 2)

BA DA BING BA DA BOOM part II pic.twitter.com/UGwDueGW0B

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 4, 2021

--

Behind the Scenes

Blackhawks try and make it two in a row tonight against Carolina. Here’s a look at my notes for the game. @NHLBlackhawks pic.twitter.com/81ctll94nN

— Chris Vosters (@CJVosters) November 3, 2021

A peak behind the curtain at how one of the newest Blackhawks broadcast team members Chris Vosters prepares for a game. Last night's game featured two new faces in the same booth with Vosters as the play-by-play announcer and Colby Cohen as the color analyst.

--

Marc-Andre Fleury

According to a couple of NHL insiders, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will only be traded this season if he wants out of Chicago. https://t.co/ulxIltD8Sl

— NHL Trade Talk (@nhl_tradetalk) November 3, 2021

This news isn't surprising given how much time that Fleury took to decide on whether to report to Chicago after being unexpectedly traded from Vegas. His decision hinged on what was best for his family so asking out of Chicago isn't a decision he'll take lightly.

--

Prospect Captains

Given the circumstances, Ethan Del Mastro said adjusting to life as captain of the #Mississauga @OHLSteelheads has felt like a bit of a jump.https://t.co/wJZ5TLYGpm

— The Mississauga News (@MissiNewsRoom) November 3, 2021

Along with Ethan Del Mastro of the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL, 2021 draft classmate and fellow defenseman Taige Harding is also the captain of his junior team the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL.

A few other Blackhawks prospects wear the A including Colton Dach of the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL and Alex Vlasic of the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA.

--

See you on the boards!

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