Hurricanes rout Blackhawks 7-2 behind Stankoven

The Carolina Hurricanes delivered a dominant performance Thursday night, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 7-2 on the road behind a standout effort from Logan Stankoven.

Stankoven recorded two goals and an assist, while Mark Jankowski added two goals as Carolina (51-22-6, 108 points) strengthened its position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Hurricanes moved two points ahead of Buffalo for home-ice advantage and still hold a game in hand on the Sabres, having already secured the Metropolitan Division title.

Frederik Andersen anchored the win with 23 saves, while William Carrier contributed three assists. Taylor Hall finished with a goal and an assist, and K’Andre Miller and Sean Walker also found the net.

Chicago (28-37-14, 70 points) continued to struggle, dropping its seventh game in the last eight contests. Anton Frondell accounted for both Blackhawks goals, while Louis Crevier added two assists. Spencer Knight made 15 saves in the loss.

Carolina controlled the game despite resting several key players, including Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Seth Jarvis — the team’s top three scorers entering the matchup.

The Hurricanes set the tone early, with Sean Walker opening the scoring just 19 seconds into the first period on a wrist shot from the slot. Chicago responded midway through the period when Frondell capitalized on a setup from Crevier, weaving past Andersen to tie the game.

Carolina regained the lead late in the opening frame, as Stankoven drove toward the net and lifted a wrist shot over Knight.

Stankoven extended his point streak to six games early in the second period, scoring his second of the night on a rebound after Knight denied Hall’s initial attempt. Jankowski added to the lead later in the period, deflecting a shot from Alexander Nikishin to make it 4-1.

The Hurricanes put the game out of reach in the third period, scoring three times in just over seven minutes. Miller, Hall, and Jankowski all added goals during the surge, while Frondell netted his second of the night in between on a deflection.

Special teams played a limited role, with Chicago going 0-for-4 on the power play and Carolina failing to convert on its lone opportunity.

Carolina defenseman Jalen Chatfield missed the game due to a lower-body injury.

With the win, the Hurricanes evened the season series after previously falling to Chicago in a shootout loss on Jan. 22.