A little over two weeks ago, the visiting Carolina Hurricanes were stunned in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks when an apparent no-call on Corey Perry resulted in his game-winning goal. Now the Hurricanes have a chance to exact some revenge when the Ducks visit the RBC Center tonight to close out the season series between the two teams.
The Hurricanes (23-26-11, 57 pts.) are coming off a well-executed 5-0 defeat of the Washington Capitals Monday night in goalie Justin Peters' first career NHL shutout. Meanwhile the resurgent Ducks (25-25-10, 60 pts.) ended a nine-game points streak with a 3-2 regulation road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday evening.
Hurricanes News and Notes
Cam Ward did not practice with the team on Wednesday, and Wednesday evening the team announced they have again recalled Mike Murphy to back up Justin Peters. Ward took the ice after formal practice wrapped up this morning. He is still listed as "day to day" and could see action as early as Saturday night against division rival Florida Panthers. In a bit of good news, for the first time since his injury on December 5th, Brian Boucher participated in a full practice with the team Wednesday, and is making progress toward a return. Something you don't often see, at one point in time during today's practice the Canes had four goalies skating.
Chad LaRose did not practice and is not expected to be in the lineup. According to head coach Kirk Muller, LaRose could be out another week. Jiri Tlusty did not practice Wednesday (maintenance day) but practiced Thursday and is scheduled to play. Tlusty brings an eight-game points streak into tonight's game. Captain Eric Staal is on a five-game points streak.
Lines:
- Jiri Tlusty - Eric Staal - Jerome Samson
- Jussi Jokinen - Jeff Skinner - Patrick Dwyer
- Drayson Bowman - Brandon Sutter - Andreas Nodl
- Anthony Stewart - Tim Brent - Derek Joslin
- Tim Gleason - Bryan Allen
- Jay Harrison - Justin Faulk
- Jaroslav Spacek - Jamie McBain
- Justin Peters
- Mike Murphy
Injuries: Joni Pitkanen (concussion/knee, IR), Brian Boucher (lower body, IR), Tuomo Ruutu (upper body), Chad LaRose (lower body), Cam Ward (lower body)
Thursday Pre-game Skate - Kirk Muller Audio
Ducks News and Notes
Tonight's matchup is the finale of an eight-game road trip which has seen the Ducks remain in the improbable race for the playoffs by posting a 4-1-2 record on the trip.
Corey Perry has six goals in six games for the Ducks, although he has been held scoreless in the last two games.
Jonas Hiller has started 19 consecutive games for the Ducks, having posted a 12-3-4 record.
Lines (from the Ducks website depth chart):
- Jason Blake - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry
- Bobby Ryan - Saku Koivu - Teemu Selanne
- Matt Beleskey - Nick Bonino - Andrew Cogliano
- Niklas Hagman - Rod Pelley - George Parros
- Cam Fowler - Francois Beauchemin
- Lubomir Visnovsky - Luca Sbisa
- Toni Lydman - Sheldon Brookbank
- Jonas Hiller
- Jeff Deslauriers
Injuries: Dan Ellis (groin, IR)
For news and information regarding the Ducks, visit SBNation affiliate site Anaheim Calling.
Other news and notes
If you haven't already done so, do yourself a favor and check out a great feature article from Michael Smith about the Hurricanes radio announcer Chuck Kaiton as he calls his 2,900th game tonight in the booth.
Tracking the Storm - Kaiton hits 2,900
Also, tonight is St. Baldrick's Night at the RBC Center, as part of the effort to raise awareness and funding for childhood cancers. Fans have an opportunity to receive free tickets to tonights game by having their head shaved on the front lawn of the RBC Center before the game. Hurricanes color analyst Tripp Tracy will also have his head shaved during intermission.
Tonight's game will be broadcast in HDTV on Fox Sports Carolinas and on the radio at WCMC 99.9 The Fan at 7:00 pm. We'll have the game thread open for business at 6:30 pm. See you there.