Scott Darling stopped 39 of 40 and Jonathan Toews scored his seventh goal of the season as the Blackhawks beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Friday at United Center. The Blackhawks gained four points in two nights, and now have a three-point lead in the Western Conference over Minnesota.
HAWKS
**RECAP: Darling leads Hawks to win over Hurricanes (SCH)
**Toews to wear Team USA gear after losing WJC bet to Kane (SCH)
**Dog days of winter can be a grind both physically, mentally (Sun Times)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**RECAP: Reimer lifts Panthers over Predators (On The Forecheck)
**Preds ink Irwin to 1-year contract extension (On The Forecheck)
**RECAP: Avs end five-game losing streak in OT (Mile High Hockey)
**Stars send Nemeth to AHL for conditioning (PHT)
**What’s wrong with the Stars power play?