Game Day Canes vs Red Wings: Coaching Duel Edition

Carolina Hurricanes vs Detroit Red Wings
December 7, 2014 - 5:00 pm ET
PNC Arena - Raleigh, NC
TV - Fox Sports Carolinas
Radio - 99.9 FM The Fan
SB Nation Rival Blog - Winging it in Motown

Fancy Stats

	Hurricanes	Red Wings
Record	8-14-3	16-6-5
Points	19	37
Division Rank	8th Metro	2nd Atlantic
Conference Rank	16th EC	4th EC
Streak	Lost 1	Won 2
Power Play %	21.5%	22.4%
Penalty Kill %	83.8%	86.6%
Goals/Game	2.28	3.11
Goals Against/Game	2.76	2.44
Shots/Game	29.4	31
Shots Against/Game	28.6	26.9
ES Goals For %	42.7%	53.9%
ES Corsi For %	51.6%	52.5%
PIM/Game	8.0	8.7
Goaltender	Ward	Howard
Record	8-8-1	13-5-4
ES Save Percentage	.915	.919
GAA	2.48	2.21
Goaltender	Khudobin	Mrazek
Record	0-6-2	2-0-0
ES Save Percentage	.901	.900
GAA	2.88	3.36

Stats via NHL.com and War on Ice

Game Notes

• Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters served as an assistant under Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock for three years, and the two have a long working and personal relationship that precedes their experience together in Detroit. Today Peters will face his friend and mentor from the opposing bench for the first time.
• Less than three weeks ago, Hurricanes forward Andrej Nestrasil was a member of the Red Wings, having been drafted by them in 2009 and having played as a prospect in their development system before getting his first NHL start earlier this season.
• The Hurricanes have been idle since Thursday's 2-1 home loss to the Capitals. They had a scheduled day off on Friday and a light practice yesterday (no practice this morning with the 5:00 pm start). Brett Bellemore, Andrej Sekera, and Cam Ward were all back at practice. Per Bill Peters (audio interview), Bellemore is close to returning but needs more practice time, Sekera looked a little 'rusty' and will be evaluated again today, and Ward fared well in practice and is expected to play but will also be evaluated today before a decision is finalized.
• Jordan Staal took the ice yesterday at RCI for the first time since breaking his leg in a preseason game on September 23rd. His rehabilitation is on schedule but no timetable for his return has been announced other than the three to four months that was estimated at the time of his injury. Jordan spoke to the media after yesterday's practice (audio interview).
• With Thursday's loss, the Hurricanes dropped to last place in both the Metro Division and the Eastern Conference. They are only ahead of the Edmonton Oilers in league standings, and are on pace for 62 points.
• The Red Wings played last night in Detroit, overcoming a two-goal deficit to snap a five-game losing streak against the Rangers with a 3-2 win. Riley Sheahan and Luke Glendening scored barely a minute apart to tie the game in the second period, Darren Helm tallied the game winner, and Jimmy Howard made 27 saves in net. The win was the 500th of Mike Babcock's head coaching career; he is the 19th NHL head coach to achieve that honor.
• In reviewing Detroit's team statistics above, they rank highest (third overall) on penalty kill percentage and goals per game (fourth overall), but they do not rank outside of the top ten in any statistical category. They are balanced and consistent across all aspects of their game and play with a quick pace. Twelve players have double digit point totals through 27 games, Henrik Zetterberg leads in total points with 24 (5g, 19a), and Gustav Nyquist leads in goal scoring with 12 goals.
• While not official, it has been reported that Petr Mrazek may get the nod in net today for the Red Wings. Mrazek was called up three weeks ago from Detroit's AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins to back up Jimmy Howard after Jonas Gustavsson suffered a shoulder injury. Mrazek has a 2-0-0 record and some pretty interesting holiday goalie equipment.

Projected line-ups

Hurricanes (from Thursday's game)

Injuries and Scratches: Jordan Staal (IR broken fibula), Brett Bellemore (IR lower body), Andrej Sekera (DTD upper body), Brad Malone (healthy)

Red Wings (from last night's game)

Injuries and Scratches: Justin Abdelkader (shoulder), Jonas Gustavsson (shoulder), Dan Cleary (healthy), Brian Lashoff (healthy)

During today's game, the Hurricanes will honor US Army Special Forces Sgt. Mike Cathcart, who was killed in Afghanistan in November. Member of Cathcart's family and unit will be in attendance. The Canes will be back in black today in their alternate jerseys. Good seats are still available.