Chuck Kaiton hinted at it this morning on 620 The Buzz and Chip Alexander confirmed it later on Twitter, Justin Peters will indeed be making his third start of the season tonight as the Carolina Hurricanes, (9-9-0) face the Pittsburgh Penguins, (10-8-2) at the brand new Consol Energy Center. Peters shouldn't be rusty though as he has spelled Cam Ward twice in recent games, first against the Flyers last week Thursday, then again in Montreal on Saturday.
"Pete Dawg" has a 2-0-0 career record against the Pens, but he has yet to notch a victory this season.
At the time of this posting, the Penguins still had not made a decision on their starter.
((UPDATE: Fleury gets the nod))
Check out the Carolina starting lines after the jump.
- Staal, Samsonov, LaRose
- Ruutu, Cole, Skinner
- Sutter, Dwyer, Jokinen
- Matsumoto, Bodie, O'Sullivan
- Gleason, Corvo
- Pitkanen, White
- Harrison, McBain
Jiri Tlusty will be the healthy extra.
As mentioned in previous articles, this game will be the debut for newcomers Ian White and Troy Bodie. White will be paired up with Joni Pitkanen. Expect to see him help out on the second powerplay unit as well.
Bodie, along with his 6'4" frame, will be looking to make an impression while on the fourth line.
The Penguins are on a bit of a roll and have a 3-0-1 record in their last four games. They beat the Hurricanes in Raleigh, 3-0, on Ocotober 30, the first meeting of the season between the teams.
Evgeni Malkin has returned to the lineup but Jordan Staal remains out. (Malkin was out of the lineup in the first game.)
Sidney Crosby leads the way for the Pens.
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Eric Staal leads the Hurricanes with goals, (9), assists, (13), and points, (22), and has recently jumped into the NHL's top ten in each of those categories.
Jeff Skinner has been quiet lately, but is still right behind Staal.
The game will be broadcast in HD by FS Carolinas starting at 7 p.m. We will have our open game thread cranked up at 6:30.