Hurricanes at Penguins: Game Day Preview

by Bob Wage on Jan 17, 2012 3:32 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Previews

The Carolina Hurricanes, (16-24-7) are presently in the Iron City and will do battle with the Pittsburgh Penguins, (23-17-4) tonight at the CONSOL Energy Center. This will be the fourth and final regular season meeting between these clubs this season. The Canes have lost two of the three previous matchups.

In the last game in Washington, Jeff Skinner took the ice again and coach Kirk Muller put him in at center, to limit his work along the boards. He's expected to play center again tonight.

The lines have been fluid but could start out as follows:

Ruutu, Staal, Tlusty
Jokinen, Skinner, Ponikarovsky
Dwyer, Sutter, Nodl
Sutter, Brent, Stewart

In the last game, Nodl and Tlusty switched up at times. Jaroslav Specek will remain out, meaning that Derek Joslin will stay in at the blueline.

Cam Ward will get the start and will face Marc-Andre Fleury at the other end of the rink. Ward has been playing better as of late and has improved his stats from what they were a couple of weeks ago.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Cam Ward	40	2309	16	17		118	3.07	1211	1093	.903	1

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Marc-Andre Fleury	37	2168	21	12		82	2.27	934	852	.912	2

The Pens put up 52 shots against the Canes the last time these two teams met. The have won two games in a row, but dropped six straight before that. The Canes have won two of their last there, with a very good showing in all three for the most part.

For more information about the Penguins, check out our fine partners over at Pensburgh.com.

The Canes powerplay has picked up steam recently and is scoring at a 36.5% clip over the last nine games. They have climbed from last in the league to number 20.

The game will be broadcast locally by FS Carolinas starting with a game preview at 6:30. We will have our open game thread also ready at 6:30.

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I am hoping for win tonight vs a banged up Pens team.

by hellfish on Jan 17, 2012 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Sutter-Dwyer-Nodl is really starting to jell in my opinion. Hope Joslin has a better game tonight, he was not good Sunday.

by Hockeydog on Jan 17, 2012 3:58 PM EST reply actions

I liked what bit I saw during the last game from those guys. Thought Nodl looked sorta energized for some reason.

Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…

by Kid CHUD on Jan 17, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions

Looking forward to tonight’s game, both teams are somewhat rested. I expect the Canes to have a little more jump than last game. Skinner should be able to find his game and show the rest of his teammates he’s the Canes MVP. Don’t get me wrong I like Staal and all but… Some nights he just doesn’t bring it. Expect an entertaining game. Hopefully the Canes leave Pittsburgh with a W.

Lets go Canes….

by CruelIn10tions on Jan 17, 2012 5:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I too have hope

as and if the Canes can/do come out firing on all cylenders tonight,it should/could end up witrh a “W” for the canes…and felt bad that Samson was a victim of Chara Thuggery

9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!

by CaniacSteve on Jan 17, 2012 6:21 PM EST reply actions