RALEIGH — The Chicago Blackhawks might be one of the top teams
in the league, with explosive offense from center Jonathan Toews and
forwards Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa.

But on a night that a reported crowd of 6,896 showed, the Carolina
Hurricanes played like one of the best with solid goaltending and pair
of third period goals in a 4-2 victory at the RBC Center Saturday.

The NHL just released the dates and times for the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Finals.

The No. 2 seeded Detroit Red Wings and No. 4 Chicago Blackhawks start it out on Sunday in Detroit. The Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 4) and Carolina Hurricanes (No. 6) start their series on Monday in Pittsburgh.

From wire and staff reports

CHICAGO — Kris Versteeg broke a tie in the fourth round of a shootout and the Chicago Blackhawks beat Carolina 3-2 on Wednesday night to end the Hurricanes' winning streak at four games.

With Carolina on a power play and goalie Cam Ward off for an extra attacker, the Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu scored with 26.5 seconds left in regulation to tie at 2.

Chicago's Jonathan Toews and Ruutu traded goals to open the shootout. And then the Blackhawks' Patrick Kane and Carolina's Jussi Jokinen also scored to keep it even.