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Javokhir Sindarov breaks record for most wins in a FIDE Candidates tournament  Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov broke the record for most wins by a player in a FIDE Candidates tournament (open category) in the currently used double-round-robin format.Sindarov beat India’s R Praggnanandhaa on Thursday in Round 10 to mark his sixth win of Candidates 2026 and move to eight points from a possible 10.With this, the Uzbek GM went past a clutch of players who had won five games each in a Candidates tournament since the introduction of the current format – D Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura (2024), Ian Nepomniachtchi (2020-21 and 2022), Fabiano Caruana (2018) and Magnus Carlsen (2013).Sindarov now has four more rounds to extend the record. He is also on course to go past Nepomniachtchi’s 9.5-point campaign in Madrid (2022)The 20-year-old is two points clear at the top of the standings and is primed to win the tournament and emerge as the world championship challenger against Gukesh.Published on Apr 09, 2026  #Javokhir #Sindarov #breaks #record #wins #FIDE #Candidates #tournament

Javokhir Sindarov breaks record for most wins in a FIDE Candidates tournament

Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov broke the record for most wins by a player in a FIDE Candidates tournament (open category) in the currently used double-round-robin format.

Sindarov beat India’s R Praggnanandhaa on Thursday in Round 10 to mark his sixth win of Candidates 2026 and move to eight points from a possible 10.

With this, the Uzbek GM went past a clutch of players who had won five games each in a Candidates tournament since the introduction of the current format – D Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura (2024), Ian Nepomniachtchi (2020-21 and 2022), Fabiano Caruana (2018) and Magnus Carlsen (2013).

Sindarov now has four more rounds to extend the record. He is also on course to go past Nepomniachtchi’s 9.5-point campaign in Madrid (2022)

The 20-year-old is two points clear at the top of the standings and is primed to win the tournament and emerge as the world championship challenger against Gukesh.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Javokhir #Sindarov #breaks #record #wins #FIDE #Candidates #tournament

Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov broke the record for most wins by a player in a FIDE Candidates tournament (open category) in the currently used double-round-robin format.

Sindarov beat India’s R Praggnanandhaa on Thursday in Round 10 to mark his sixth win of Candidates 2026 and move to eight points from a possible 10.

With this, the Uzbek GM went past a clutch of players who had won five games each in a Candidates tournament since the introduction of the current format – D Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura (2024), Ian Nepomniachtchi (2020-21 and 2022), Fabiano Caruana (2018) and Magnus Carlsen (2013).

Sindarov now has four more rounds to extend the record. He is also on course to go past Nepomniachtchi’s 9.5-point campaign in Madrid (2022)

The 20-year-old is two points clear at the top of the standings and is primed to win the tournament and emerge as the world championship challenger against Gukesh.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

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#Javokhir #Sindarov #breaks #record #wins #FIDE #Candidates #tournament

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जया बच्चन के जन्मदिन पर काजोल ने दी बधाई, लिखा- ‘हैप्पी बर्थडे क्लासी…’; अमिताभ ने फैंस को कहा शुक्रिया<div id=""> <p><span class="hide_auw" style="display:none" id="story-69d74f5edfc63ec70b0c6c85">{“_id”:”69d74f5edfc63ec70b0c6c85″,”slug”:”jaya-bachchan-birthday-kajol-extended-her-wishes-amitabh-bachchan-thanks-fans-2026-04-09″,”type”:”feature-story”,”status”:”publish”,”title_hn”:”जया बच्चन के जन्मदिन पर काजोल ने दी बधाई, लिखा- ‘हैप्पी बर्थडे क्लासी…’; अमिताभ ने फैंस को कहा शुक्रिया”,”category”:{“title”:”Bollywood”,”title_hn”:”बॉलीवुड”,”slug”:”bollywood”}}</span></p> <div class="auther-time"> <div class="authdesc"> <span class="auth_cty">एंटरटेनमेंट डेस्क, अमर उजाला</span> <i/> Published by: <a href="https://www.amarujala.com/user/anju-bajpai-entertainment" title="Anju Bajpai"><span>Anju Bajpai</span></a> Updated Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:39 PM IST </div> </div> <div class="khas-batei ul_styling"> <h2><strong>Jaya Bachchan Birthday: </strong>बॉलीवुड की दिग्गज अभिनेत्री जया बच्चन का आज जन्मदिन है। आज जया अपना 78वां जन्मदिन मना रही हैं। काजोल ने जया को जन्मदिन की शुभामनाएं दी हैं। अमिताभ बच्चन ने फैंस का शुक्रिया  किया है।<br/>  </h2> </div> <!-- News briefs low scroller --> <!-- News briefs low scroller --> <!-- Image --> <div class="image" id="storyMianImage"> <figure class="" style=""> <picture> <source media="(min-width:415px)" srcset="https://staticimg.amarujala.com/assets/images/2026/04/09/jaya-bcacana-kajal-amatabha-bcacana_36d094920a751937a2a7936b056da83c.jpeg?w=674&dpr=1.0&q=80"> <img width="414" height="233" src="https://staticimg.amarujala.com/assets/images/2026/04/09/jaya-bcacana-kajal-amatabha-bcacana_36d094920a751937a2a7936b056da83c.jpeg?w=414&dpr=1.0&q=80" alt="Jaya Bachchan birthday Kajol extended her wishes Amitabh Bachchan thanks fans" title="जया बच्चन के जन्मदिन पर काजोल ने दी बधाई, लिखा- 'हैप्पी बर्थडे क्लासी...'; अमिताभ ने फैंस को कहा शुक्रिया"/> <button class="embed_video_btn" id="vdo"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="56" height="56" viewbox="0 0 56 56" fill="none"> <circle cx="28" cy="28" r="28" fill="#E31E25"/> <path d="M38.9766 28.848C39.6032 28.4564 39.6032 27.5437 38.9766 27.152L22.3078 16.7341C21.6418 16.3178 20.7778 16.7966 20.7778 17.5821V38.418C20.7778 39.2034 21.6418 39.6823 22.3078 39.266L38.9766 28.848Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </button> </source></picture> </figure> <!-- Caption --> <p> जया बच्चन-काजोल-अमिताभ बच्चन <span>– फोटो : इंस्टाग्राम </span> </p> <!-- Caption --> </div> <!-- Image --> <!-- au plus subscription --> <!-- for web --> <!-- for web --> <!-- au plus subscription --> <div class="article-desc ul_styling hide_micropay_story hide_app_exclusive_story"> <!-- Hyper Local widget --> <!-- End Hyper Local widget --> <h3 class="vistaar">विस्तार </h3> <!-- new code--> <div class="hide_micropay_story hide_app_exclusive_story metering_article_detail"> <p style="text-align: justify;">जया बच्चन आज अपना 78वां जन्मदिन मना रही हैं। इस खास अवसर पर फिल्म ‘कभी खुशी कभी गम’ में जया की सह-कलाकार काजोल ने उन्हें जन्मिदन की शुभकामनाएं दी है। वहीं सोशल मीडिया पर जया को कई फैंस ने जन्मदिन की बधाई दी है, जिस पर अमिताभ बच्चन ने फैंस का शुक्रिया अदा किया है।</p> <!-- removed read more from here --> <!-- $enableReadMore=false/true = hide/show "Read More" button (show full content) --> <!-- Datawall for metering --> <div class="metering_wall_container"> <div class="loading_screen_metering loading_metering_loader" style="min-height:58px;display:none;"> <div class="img_with_text"> <img loading="lazy" width="32" height="32" src="https://staticimg.amarujala.com/assets/images/2020/01/22/throbber-12-5d288d258d383_5e28205ebe79a.gif?w=32&dpr=1.0&q=80" alt="loader" title="loader"/> </div> </div> </div> <!-- Datawall for metering --> <div class="trending_video_article hide_for_readmore"> <span class="pVideo">Trending Videos</span> <button class="videoaddwraper" id="videoaddwraperid">यह वीडियो/विज्ञापन हटाएं</button> <!-- Video JS --> </div> </div> <!-- new code--> </div> </div>Jaya bachchan, jaya bachchan birthday, jaya bachchan 78th birthday, jaya bachchan bday, jaya bachchan movies, jaya bachchan age, jaya bachchan jaya bachchan instagram, jaya bachchan video, jaya bachchan amitabh bachchan, jaya bachchan kajol, kabhie khushi kabhi gham, Entertainment News in Hindi, Bollywood News in Hindi, Bollywood Hindi News, जया बच्चन, जया बच्चन की उम्र, जया बच्चन का जन्मदिन, अमिताभ बच्चन, ऐश्वर्या बच्चन, काजोल, कभी खुशी कभी गम

Max Verstappen’s long-time Formula One race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is to leave Red Bull and join McLaren ‌in a supporting role to team principal Andrea Stella.

There was no immediate ​comment from either team on Thursday, but senior insiders confirmed the move, ⁠first reported in Dutch media, to Reuters.

The news was also reported by the BBC and Sky Sports, with 2028 given as the likely start date for a man who has been working with ‌Verstappen since 2016 and has played a key role in helping the Dutch driver to four world championships.

Lambiase, 45, had also been linked with Silverstone-based Aston ‌Martin, whose team principal is former Red Bull star designer Adrian Newey.

Stella set to stay as Principal

While Aston Martin has endured a nightmare start to the season, ⁠struggling to even finish races with an uncompetitive Honda engine, McLaren won both titles last year with champion Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri.

Lambiase is expected to become head of race engineering at McLaren once a ​potentially long period of ‘gardening leave’ comes ‌to an end, with former Ferrari engineer Stella continuing in his position.

Stella, who worked with Michael Schumacher in a golden era at Ferrari in the early 2000s, has a multi-year contract with McLaren and no intention of returning to Maranello despite some media ‌speculation about his future.

The close but forthright relationship between Verstappen and ‘GP’ over the ​team radio has become a familiar part of Formula One, similar to the pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington during the seven-time world ⁠champion’s spell at Mercedes.

Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner, fired last July, once compared the relationship to that of “an old married couple arguing about what to watch on television.

READ: F1 technical heads to meet, discuss new engine rules

“The dynamic between ‌the two is so intense that in between you have to ask yourself who is supposed to be the driver and who is supposed to be the engineer here.”

Losing the Briton will be a blow to Verstappen after the departure of other important figures in recent seasons and once-dominant Red Bull’s waning performance on track, but the 28-year-old has also increasingly cast doubt on his own longevity in the sport.

“I’m thinking about everything inside ‌this paddock,” he said in Japan last month.

Verstappen is no fan of the sport’s new engine era and ​rules that force drivers to manage energy deployment and take corners at less than full speed.

In 2021, when they won a first title together, the ⁠Dutchman went so far as to say that he would not continue without Lambiase.

“I have said ⁠to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too,” he told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport. “We can be pretty strict with ‌each other sometimes, but I want that. He has to tell me when I’m being a jerk, and I have to tell him.”

McLaren already has former Red Bull ​employees Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay in senior roles as chief designer and sporting director, respectively.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Verstappens #race #engineer #Lambiase #leave #Red #Bull #McLaren">Verstappen’s race engineer Lambiase to leave Red Bull for McLaren   Max Verstappen’s long-time Formula One race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is to leave Red Bull and join McLaren ‌in a supporting role to team principal Andrea Stella.There was no immediate ​comment from either team on Thursday, but senior insiders confirmed the move, ⁠first reported in Dutch media, to        Reuters.The news was also reported by the        BBC and        Sky Sports, with 2028 given as the likely start date for a man who has been working with ‌Verstappen since 2016 and has played a key role in helping the Dutch driver to four world championships.Lambiase, 45, had also been linked with Silverstone-based Aston ‌Martin, whose team principal is former Red Bull star designer Adrian Newey.Stella set to stay as PrincipalWhile Aston Martin has endured a nightmare start to the season, ⁠struggling to even finish races with an uncompetitive Honda engine, McLaren won both titles last year with champion Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri.Lambiase is expected to become head of race engineering at McLaren once a ​potentially long period of ‘gardening leave’ comes ‌to an end, with former Ferrari engineer Stella continuing in his position.Stella, who worked with Michael Schumacher in a golden era at Ferrari in the early 2000s, has a multi-year contract with McLaren and no intention of returning to Maranello despite some media ‌speculation about his future.The close but forthright relationship between Verstappen and ‘GP’ over the ​team radio has become a familiar part of Formula One, similar to the pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington during the seven-time world ⁠champion’s spell at Mercedes.Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner, fired last July, once compared the relationship to that of “an old married couple arguing about what to watch on television.READ: F1 technical heads to meet, discuss new engine rules“The dynamic between ‌the two is so intense that in between you have to ask yourself who is supposed to be the driver and who is supposed to be the engineer here.”Losing the Briton will be a blow to Verstappen after the departure of other important figures in recent seasons and once-dominant Red Bull’s waning performance on track, but the 28-year-old has also increasingly cast doubt on his own longevity in the sport.“I’m thinking about everything inside ‌this paddock,” he said in Japan last month.Verstappen is no fan of the sport’s new engine era and ​rules that force drivers to manage energy deployment and take corners at less than full speed.In 2021, when they won a first title together, the ⁠Dutchman went so far as to say that he would not continue without Lambiase.“I have said ⁠to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too,” he told Dutch broadcaster        Ziggo Sport. “We can be pretty strict with ‌each other sometimes, but I want that. He has to tell me when I’m being a jerk, and I have to tell him.”McLaren already has former Red Bull ​employees Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay in senior roles as chief designer and sporting director, respectively.Published on Apr 09, 2026  #Verstappens #race #engineer #Lambiase #leave #Red #Bull #McLaren

F1 technical heads to meet, discuss new engine rules

“The dynamic between ‌the two is so intense that in between you have to ask yourself who is supposed to be the driver and who is supposed to be the engineer here.”

Losing the Briton will be a blow to Verstappen after the departure of other important figures in recent seasons and once-dominant Red Bull’s waning performance on track, but the 28-year-old has also increasingly cast doubt on his own longevity in the sport.

“I’m thinking about everything inside ‌this paddock,” he said in Japan last month.

Verstappen is no fan of the sport’s new engine era and ​rules that force drivers to manage energy deployment and take corners at less than full speed.

In 2021, when they won a first title together, the ⁠Dutchman went so far as to say that he would not continue without Lambiase.

“I have said ⁠to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too,” he told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport. “We can be pretty strict with ‌each other sometimes, but I want that. He has to tell me when I’m being a jerk, and I have to tell him.”

McLaren already has former Red Bull ​employees Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay in senior roles as chief designer and sporting director, respectively.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Verstappens #race #engineer #Lambiase #leave #Red #Bull #McLaren">Verstappen’s race engineer Lambiase to leave Red Bull for McLaren 

Max Verstappen’s long-time Formula One race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is to leave Red Bull and join McLaren ‌in a supporting role to team principal Andrea Stella.

There was no immediate ​comment from either team on Thursday, but senior insiders confirmed the move, ⁠first reported in Dutch media, to Reuters.

The news was also reported by the BBC and Sky Sports, with 2028 given as the likely start date for a man who has been working with ‌Verstappen since 2016 and has played a key role in helping the Dutch driver to four world championships.

Lambiase, 45, had also been linked with Silverstone-based Aston ‌Martin, whose team principal is former Red Bull star designer Adrian Newey.

Stella set to stay as Principal

While Aston Martin has endured a nightmare start to the season, ⁠struggling to even finish races with an uncompetitive Honda engine, McLaren won both titles last year with champion Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri.

Lambiase is expected to become head of race engineering at McLaren once a ​potentially long period of ‘gardening leave’ comes ‌to an end, with former Ferrari engineer Stella continuing in his position.

Stella, who worked with Michael Schumacher in a golden era at Ferrari in the early 2000s, has a multi-year contract with McLaren and no intention of returning to Maranello despite some media ‌speculation about his future.

The close but forthright relationship between Verstappen and ‘GP’ over the ​team radio has become a familiar part of Formula One, similar to the pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington during the seven-time world ⁠champion’s spell at Mercedes.

Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner, fired last July, once compared the relationship to that of “an old married couple arguing about what to watch on television.

READ: F1 technical heads to meet, discuss new engine rules

“The dynamic between ‌the two is so intense that in between you have to ask yourself who is supposed to be the driver and who is supposed to be the engineer here.”

Losing the Briton will be a blow to Verstappen after the departure of other important figures in recent seasons and once-dominant Red Bull’s waning performance on track, but the 28-year-old has also increasingly cast doubt on his own longevity in the sport.

“I’m thinking about everything inside ‌this paddock,” he said in Japan last month.

Verstappen is no fan of the sport’s new engine era and ​rules that force drivers to manage energy deployment and take corners at less than full speed.

In 2021, when they won a first title together, the ⁠Dutchman went so far as to say that he would not continue without Lambiase.

“I have said ⁠to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too,” he told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport. “We can be pretty strict with ‌each other sometimes, but I want that. He has to tell me when I’m being a jerk, and I have to tell him.”

McLaren already has former Red Bull ​employees Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay in senior roles as chief designer and sporting director, respectively.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Verstappens #race #engineer #Lambiase #leave #Red #Bull #McLaren
Deadspin | Canes not looking past Blackhawks in quest for No. 1 seed  Apr 7, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA;  Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) watches the play against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images   The Carolina Hurricanes clinched the Metropolitan Division title and remained on track to secure home-ice advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs with Tuesday’s overtime victory against visiting Boston.  On Thursday, Carolina (50-22-6, 106 points) will aim to keep its focus as it meets the slumping Chicago Blackhawks in the opener of a four-game road trip to close the regular season.  Atlantic Division foes Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Montreal each entered Wednesday with 102 points and are the Hurricanes’ closest competitors for the top spot in the East.  If defenseman Jaccob Slavin’s reaction to the division crown is any indication, Carolina need not worry about looking ahead.  “We put in a lot of work this season, and to do that is still a big accomplishment,” Slavin said. “But that’s just one step along the way.”  Slavin scored the game-winning goal — his first goal of the season — at 1:13 of overtime to beat Boston 6-5.  Four Hurricanes earned multiple points, as Taylor Hall and Andrei Svechnikov each had a goal and assist and Jackson Blake and Sean Walker both had two assists.  Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour, whose club has won four of five, feels the team is hitting its stride for the stretch run.  “I thought we played really well,” he said. “We had some breakdowns, and we had a couple where they made us pay. But I liked the way our group responded on everything. Overall, it was real positive.”  Chicago (28-36-14, 70 points) has lost six of seven and is in search of its first home victory since March 9.  Thursday marks the start of the Blackhawks’ four-game homestand to conclude the regular season, with each coming against teams that either have clinched playoff berths or remain in contention for wild-card spots.   The Blackhawks are coming off a loss Monday to one such club. The host San Jose Sharks, part of a congested Western Conference wild-card chase, edged the Blackhawks 3-2.  Ryan Donato and Frank Nazar tallied goals for Chicago, while Connor Bedard earned his fourth assist in the past three games.  That raised Bedard’s career points total to 200. He’s the first Blackhawk to achieve the feat before age 20, joining 12 other players in league history, including current players Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos.  Bedard had the secondary assist on Donato’s goal in the first period.  “I thought we were moving the puck well. (Bedard) up top works really well. He sees the ice really well,” said Nazar, who added an assist.  Added coach Jeff Blashill: “(Bedard’s) the guy you want with the puck in his hands.”  Blackhawks forward Andrew Mangiapane (upper-body injury) returned against the Sharks after missing the past nine games.  Visiting Chicago edged Carolina 4-3 in a shootout on Jan. 22. Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight stopped 28 shots in regulation and overtime. Ilya Mikheyev had a goal and assist.  Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (lower body) left the Boston game in the third period, but Brind’Amour didn’t have an immediate update.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Canes #Blackhawks #quest #seedApr 7, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) watches the play against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Carolina Hurricanes clinched the Metropolitan Division title and remained on track to secure home-ice advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs with Tuesday’s overtime victory against visiting Boston.

On Thursday, Carolina (50-22-6, 106 points) will aim to keep its focus as it meets the slumping Chicago Blackhawks in the opener of a four-game road trip to close the regular season.

Atlantic Division foes Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Montreal each entered Wednesday with 102 points and are the Hurricanes’ closest competitors for the top spot in the East.

If defenseman Jaccob Slavin’s reaction to the division crown is any indication, Carolina need not worry about looking ahead.

“We put in a lot of work this season, and to do that is still a big accomplishment,” Slavin said. “But that’s just one step along the way.”

Slavin scored the game-winning goal — his first goal of the season — at 1:13 of overtime to beat Boston 6-5.

Four Hurricanes earned multiple points, as Taylor Hall and Andrei Svechnikov each had a goal and assist and Jackson Blake and Sean Walker both had two assists.

Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour, whose club has won four of five, feels the team is hitting its stride for the stretch run.

“I thought we played really well,” he said. “We had some breakdowns, and we had a couple where they made us pay. But I liked the way our group responded on everything. Overall, it was real positive.”

Chicago (28-36-14, 70 points) has lost six of seven and is in search of its first home victory since March 9.


Thursday marks the start of the Blackhawks’ four-game homestand to conclude the regular season, with each coming against teams that either have clinched playoff berths or remain in contention for wild-card spots.

The Blackhawks are coming off a loss Monday to one such club. The host San Jose Sharks, part of a congested Western Conference wild-card chase, edged the Blackhawks 3-2.

Ryan Donato and Frank Nazar tallied goals for Chicago, while Connor Bedard earned his fourth assist in the past three games.

That raised Bedard’s career points total to 200. He’s the first Blackhawk to achieve the feat before age 20, joining 12 other players in league history, including current players Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos.

Bedard had the secondary assist on Donato’s goal in the first period.

“I thought we were moving the puck well. (Bedard) up top works really well. He sees the ice really well,” said Nazar, who added an assist.

Added coach Jeff Blashill: “(Bedard’s) the guy you want with the puck in his hands.”

Blackhawks forward Andrew Mangiapane (upper-body injury) returned against the Sharks after missing the past nine games.

Visiting Chicago edged Carolina 4-3 in a shootout on Jan. 22. Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight stopped 28 shots in regulation and overtime. Ilya Mikheyev had a goal and assist.

Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (lower body) left the Boston game in the third period, but Brind’Amour didn’t have an immediate update.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Canes #Blackhawks #quest #seed">Deadspin | Canes not looking past Blackhawks in quest for No. 1 seed  Apr 7, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA;  Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) watches the play against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images   The Carolina Hurricanes clinched the Metropolitan Division title and remained on track to secure home-ice advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs with Tuesday’s overtime victory against visiting Boston.  On Thursday, Carolina (50-22-6, 106 points) will aim to keep its focus as it meets the slumping Chicago Blackhawks in the opener of a four-game road trip to close the regular season.  Atlantic Division foes Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Montreal each entered Wednesday with 102 points and are the Hurricanes’ closest competitors for the top spot in the East.  If defenseman Jaccob Slavin’s reaction to the division crown is any indication, Carolina need not worry about looking ahead.  “We put in a lot of work this season, and to do that is still a big accomplishment,” Slavin said. “But that’s just one step along the way.”  Slavin scored the game-winning goal — his first goal of the season — at 1:13 of overtime to beat Boston 6-5.  Four Hurricanes earned multiple points, as Taylor Hall and Andrei Svechnikov each had a goal and assist and Jackson Blake and Sean Walker both had two assists.  Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour, whose club has won four of five, feels the team is hitting its stride for the stretch run.  “I thought we played really well,” he said. “We had some breakdowns, and we had a couple where they made us pay. But I liked the way our group responded on everything. Overall, it was real positive.”  Chicago (28-36-14, 70 points) has lost six of seven and is in search of its first home victory since March 9.  Thursday marks the start of the Blackhawks’ four-game homestand to conclude the regular season, with each coming against teams that either have clinched playoff berths or remain in contention for wild-card spots.   The Blackhawks are coming off a loss Monday to one such club. The host San Jose Sharks, part of a congested Western Conference wild-card chase, edged the Blackhawks 3-2.  Ryan Donato and Frank Nazar tallied goals for Chicago, while Connor Bedard earned his fourth assist in the past three games.  That raised Bedard’s career points total to 200. He’s the first Blackhawk to achieve the feat before age 20, joining 12 other players in league history, including current players Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos.  Bedard had the secondary assist on Donato’s goal in the first period.  “I thought we were moving the puck well. (Bedard) up top works really well. He sees the ice really well,” said Nazar, who added an assist.  Added coach Jeff Blashill: “(Bedard’s) the guy you want with the puck in his hands.”  Blackhawks forward Andrew Mangiapane (upper-body injury) returned against the Sharks after missing the past nine games.  Visiting Chicago edged Carolina 4-3 in a shootout on Jan. 22. Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight stopped 28 shots in regulation and overtime. Ilya Mikheyev had a goal and assist.  Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (lower body) left the Boston game in the third period, but Brind’Amour didn’t have an immediate update.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Canes #Blackhawks #quest #seed

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