The red-hot Philadelphia Flyers are in town to take on the up and down Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers have won their last five games and have not lost in regulation in their last seven. (6-0-1). The Canes have lost their last two, but won three consecutive games prior to that.
Which Carolina team will show up tonight?
The Hurricanes are still fighting through some injury adversity. Joni Pitkanen took a high, jarring hit on Monday night, but he will play tonight. Tim Gleason, Frank Kaberle, and Patrick Eaves are listed as day-to-day, but will not suit up for this one. Former All-Star winger Justin Williams has been practicing with the team and has been going through full contact. He might be activated off of the IR any time now.
Coach Peter Laviolette said that he will play the same group who played in Florida, except Cam Ward will be in goal.
High-scoring forward, Daniel Briere has missed a few games for the Flyers with a groin strain. He traveled with the team but is not expected to play tonight.
These two teams usually play a close game and have gone to over-time in 6 of their 12 meetings since the lockout. Tonight's affair will be the first of a home and home series as the teams will fly to Philadelphia and will tee-off again at 1PM on Black Friday.
Streakin'-
Chad LaRose has goals in two straight games for the Canes.
Teasin'-
New Jersey coach Brent Sutter took a little ribbing for wearing a Hurricanes jersey during the game on Monday night in Florida. The Canes were holding a father-son event, and all the player's fathers were wearing their respective son's jerseys.
"A couple of guys mentioned a couple of things about it," Sutter said with a grin after the Devils' Wednesday morning skate at the BankAtlantic Center. "They thought maybe there was some kind of fine for wearing another team's jersey. I told them if there is a problem, they'll have to find another coach. Pretty simple."
"I'm proud of the fact that as a dad I have the opportunity to do that and I hope it's not the last time," Sutter said. "First and foremost I'm a dad."
Some kind of fine? I wonder who the player was who teased Sutter and how much playing time he'll get tonight against the Panthers.
Gametime is at 7 tonight. This one will be broadcast locally.