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Senators At Hurricanes: Game Day Preview

By Bob Wage
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The Carolina Hurricanes, (8-9-0) return to action at the RBC as they take on the Ottawa Senators, (9-8-1), tonight in game two of the teams' four game season series.  The Sens won the initial meeting between the clubs in Ottawa on October 14, by a 3-2, score. 

The Hurricanes have struggled through a disastrous past two games as they gave up a total of 15 goals in consecutive losses to the Flyers and Canadiens.  Don't expect a major shakeup to the lineup though as the only new addition will be inserting Patrick O`Sullivan on the fourth line.  Jiri Tlusty will be the casualty and will be the healthy extra this game.

According to the Hurricanes depth chart, the lines will be as follows:

  • Staal, Samsonov, LaRose
  • Sutter, Jokinen, Dwyer
  • Ruutu, Skinner, Cole
  • Matsumoto, O'Sullivan, Kostopoulos
  • Gleason, McBain
  • Pitkanen, Corvo
  • Harrison, Babchuk

Cam Ward will get the start in goal.

 

Hockeymom's game day guide can be found here:

Canes Country's Game Guide: Hurricanes vs Senators

The Ottawa Senators are flying into town this afternoon which is a huge change up from their normal game day routine.  The team is probably still in shock and has been mourning the loss of assistant coach, Luke Richardson's daughter.  

The Sens are coming off their own 5-1, loss at the hands of the Flyers on Monday night.  The Canes last played on Saturday night.  

Expect to see Brian Elliott in net tonight for the visitors.

GP MIN W L EGA GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
2010 - Brian Elliott 14 803 9 5 37 2.76 437 400 .915 1

GP MIN W L EGA GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
2010 - Cam Ward 15 846 8 7 44 3.12 485 441 .909 0



The Sens are led in scoring by Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Sergei Gonchar.  Mike Fisher always plays well against Carolina as well. 

GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2010 - Daniel Alfredsson 18 7 8 15 -5 2 4 0 1 39

GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2010 - Jason Spezza 13 5 8 13 5 8 1 0 0 38
GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2010 - Sergei Gonchar 18 4 8 12 -9 6 2 0 0 29

 

The Canes are led by Eric Staal, Jeff Skinner, and Jussi Jokinen. 

GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2010 - Eric Staal 17 6 11 17 -5 16 1 1 2 67

GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2010 - Jeff Skinner 17 6 9 15 -4 2 1 0 0 44
GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2010 - Jussi Jokinen 17 2 9 11 -9 6 2 0 0 33



That is correct.  Jokinen is third on the team in points, even though he has been bounced around from line to line, position to position, and has admittedly gotten off to a slow start.  What happens when he heats up?  Tonight is his bobblehead night, perhaps that will get him going even more.

Quick Notes:

Anton Babchuk has the team's longest current scoring streak at two games, (1G 1A).

Cam Ward has started the last six games.

The Hurricanes won both meetings at home against the Sens last season and finished the series with a 2-1-1 record. 

Brian Elliott is 4-1 lifetime against Carolina.  Cam Ward is 5-6 lifetime against Ottawa.

Joe Corvo had his only career hat trick against his former team.  

New addition, Troy Bodie will not play this game, but is expected to play in Pittsburgh on Friday night.

 

The game will be broadcast by FS Carolinas as well as 99.9 The Fan.  We will have our open game thread going at 6:30.