Blackhawks shut out by Hurricanes for second time

10 observations: Hawks shut out by Canes for second time originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

The Blackhawks were shut out by the Carolina Hurricanes for the second time this season after falling 3-0 at PNC Arena on Tuesday.

Here are 10 observations from the loss:

1. The Blackhawks had a 6 a.m. flight out of Chicago on Tuesday because of the three-day holiday break then went to PNC Arena for the morning skate. And they struggled to find their legs early on, although it probably didn’t help that they faced the NHL’s hottest team right out of the gates. The Hurricanes skated circles around them and the Blackhawks fell behind 2-0 in the first period.

2. The Hurricanes generated 12 high-danger chances at 5-on-5 in the first period alone and finished with 20 total, per Natural Stat Trick. That’s the most the Blackhawks have allowed in a game this season. Their previous high was 16, which they had done twice. What’s funny is the Blackhawks gave up only four high-danger chances at all strengths in their first meeting against Carolina on Nov. 14, which remains a season-best.

3. The Blackhawks had three consecutive power plays within a seven-minute span that started at the end of the first period, including 19 seconds of 5-on-3 time, and they did absolutely nothing with it. In fact, the Hurricanes generated more scoring chances (3) than Chicago (0) while shorthanded.

4. Petr Mrazek was under siege all night, and I’m not sure what else he could’ve done. He probably won’t like that he gave up a rebound on the first goal, but the second goal against was an unfortunate break after Connor Murphy put the puck into his own net. Mrazek finished with 46 saves on 49 shots for a save percentage of .939. Both of those numbers are a new career-high.

5. The best trio of the game for Chicago was easily the third line of Andreas Athanasiou, Jason Dickinson and Sam Lafferty. When the three of them were on the ice together at even strength through two periods, the Blackhawks led…