Back to Work: Islanders at Hurricanes, Game Day Preview

by Bob Wage on Jan 31, 2012 3:46 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Previews

After an eight day break, the Carolina Hurricanes, (18-24-9) are back in action tonight as they host the New York Islanders, (19-22-7) in a match between bottom feeders of the Eastern Conference. These teams just met on January 21st on the island and the Hurricanes lost in overtime as John Tavares netted the game winner.

The Canes are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and feel happy with the way they had been playing before the break. They want to continue to pick up points, anyway they can. The Isles are 5-4-1 in their last 10.

Riley Nash was recently recalled from Charlotte while Jerome Samson was sent back down earlier today. Chad LaRose will return to the lineup tonight, but Jaroslav Spacek remains out.

According to Hurricanes writer Michael Smith, Jeff Skinner is getting moved back to winger and the lines will start out as following:

Tlusty, Staal, Ruutu
Jokinen, Nash, Skinner
Dwyer, Sutter, Nodl
LaRose, Brent, Stewart
Allen, Gleason
Faulk, Harrison
McBain, Joslin

Cam Ward will be starting in net.

This is the third of four meetings between the teams this season and Carolina has lost both previous games, one in a shootout and one in overtime.

For information from the Islanders perspective, check out Lighthouse Hockey.

Skinner has goals in two straight games and is second on the team in goals scored, even though he has missed 16 games. Cam Ward has had a red hot month of January and put up a .949 save percentage in his last 10 games.

The game will be televised locally by FS Carolinas, same time, same station. We will have our open game thread ready to go at 6:30.

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Nash will get his best chance to date to impress at the NHL level. It seems like forever since the last Canes game, excited to get back to it tonight!

by Hockeydog on Jan 31, 2012 3:57 PM EST reply actions

Showcasing him?

I believe in strength. I believe in unity. And if that strength, that unity of purpose, demands a uniformity of thought, word and deed then so be it.

by Douchebag St John on Jan 31, 2012 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

Let’s get 2 points tonight.

by hellfish on Jan 31, 2012 3:58 PM EST reply actions

LETS GO CANES

Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…

by Kid CHUD on Jan 31, 2012 4:00 PM EST reply actions

23 and 8 or something like that from now forward to make the playoffs.

by Cincinnati Reds on Jan 31, 2012 4:58 PM EST via mobile reply actions

and a lot of help.

by Hockeydog on Jan 31, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

A must win game if we’re going to make the playoffs.

Lets Go Canes!

by CruelIn10tions on Jan 31, 2012 5:17 PM EST reply actions

I’m not even going to begin to think playoffs – ain’t happening with so many teams ahead of us and the 3 point games that’ll take place. But I do hope to see the continual improvement under Muller especially on special teams.

Nash as the 2nd/3rd center? Can’t say Muller isn’t giving our prospects a real chance to impress. Though I kinda was hoping to see Dadonov brought up.

Go Canes!

"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward

by anonymousJ on Jan 31, 2012 5:48 PM EST reply actions