CHICAGO (AP) – Jeremy Colliton's NHL coaching started off to a shaky start before the Chicago Blackhawks.

Goals by Andrei Svechnikov, Jaccob Slavin, Phillip Di Giuseppe and Calvin de Haan gave Carolina a four-goal lead early in the second period and the Hurricanes held on for a 4-3 victory over the Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Colliton became the 38th coach of the Blackhawks on Tuesday after Joel Quenneville was fired after 10 seasons with Chicago. Quenneville ranked second in the NHL history with 890 regular-season victories.

Despite the coaching switch, Chicago went through a sluggish, mistake-filled opening 25 minutes. The Blackhawks' winless streak reached six straight (0-5-1) after being promoted from Chicago's American Hockey League affiliate in Rockford, Illinois, to become the NHL's youngest head coach at 33

"We looked like we were a bit tentative, especially in our own end, early on," Colliton said. "I think there were some self-inflicted wounds.

"We had things totally under control, no pressure and we are in a situation where they can come here."

Patrick Kane, David Kampf and Nick Schmaltz scored for the Blackhawks after they fell behind 4-0 in a quiet United Center, but the team came back just short.

Schmaltz said he and his teammates were just thinking too much with a coach behind the bench. So with Chicago trailing 3-0 after one period, Colliton's message was simple.

"He just said, 'Do not think out there, just play hockey, we'll teach as we go,'" Schmaltz said.

Chicago's Corey Crawford blocked 30 shots as he faced many tough chances.

Lucas Wallmark had two assists for the Hurricanes, who snapped a five-game slide in the final of a four-game road trip.

Scott Darling, traded to Carolina by the Blackhawks in April 2017, made 35 saves in his third start this season.

"I almost blew it there, goal (having) four goals is nice," Darling said. "It's great to score the first goal and not be chasing the game.

"They've got plays, flying guys in the neutral zone, multiple guys."

Darling and the Hurricanes Held on a badly-needed win.

"It was not pretty at times, but it was also nice to play with the lead and four-goal cushion," de Haan said. "We grinded it out and ended up getting the two points."

Carolina led 3-0 after the first period.

Svechnikov opened the scoring in a loose rebound.

Slavin scored his second goal in two games to make it 2-0 during a power play at 9:09. He has been pocked by Crawford in the process of stealing two points-blank stuff-in-jokes by Justin Williams.

Di Giuseppe increased to 3-0 with 4:07 left in the first one after the blackhawks failed to clear their area.

Crawford chopped his stick on the crossbar and broke it after Haan scored from just outside the crease 1:20 into the second to extend Carolina's lead to 4-0. DeHaan, a defenseman, was left open after he was in the lead.

Kane cut it to 4-1 just over a few minutes later, slapping in a hasty way that was fired by Artem Anisimov from the slot and was trickling towards the goal line.

Kampf was credited with a deflection at 10:53 of the period that cut it to 4-2. Brandon Saad powered from behind the net in the slot, then turned on and fired on net to create luck.

Schmaltz narrowed it to 4-3 at 3:33 of the third when he played the puck in the Carolina zone and beat Darling from the left circle.

NOTES: Blackhawks C Marcus Kruger suffered a left in the second period and did not return. . Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was clipped by a high stick in the final minutes, but should be ready to play on Saturday, Colliton said. . Petr Mrazek, the Hurricanes No. 1 goalie so far this season, missed his third game with a lower-body injury. … Saad played with a full-face plastic shield after taking a puck in the mouth on Wednesday, then undergoing dental work and getting about 15 stiches. … Di Giuseppe had been recalled from Charlotte of the AHL on Wednesday and played in his third game. … Blackhawks F Chris Kunitz, D Duncan Keith and G's Crawford and Cam Ward are older than Colliton. D Brent Seabrook, also 33, is just three months younger. … De Haan played with Colliton for a year at Bridgeport, Connecticut, of the AHL. "He was my captain.He was a good leader.I could see why he's coaching an NHL team," de Haan said.

UP NEXT

Hurricanes: Host Detroit on Saturday.

Blackhawks: At Philadelphia on Saturday.

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