Bodog Beat

Do you have your money on the Carolina Hurricanes. (Wikimedia Images)

With Cam Ward in the midst of an impressive run, the Carolina Hurricanes return to the United Center searching for a season-best fifth consecutive victory in their only matchup this season with the Blackhawks.

The Hurricanes have won eight of their last 10 games and are tied with Florida for seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Ward has only allowed 19 goals in his last 10 starts and has a 1.50 goals-against average in the four consecutive victories. In Monday night's 3-0 win over the New York Rangers, Ward stopped 28 shots for his fifth shutout of the season.

Since a 2-1 defeat at the United Center in 1999, Carolina is 7-0-0 with one tie against the Blackhawks, including four straight wins in Chicago.

The Blackhawks are struggling. Their defense has given up 26 goals in their last seven games, and they have gone 2-4-1 in that span.