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New York Rangers (5-2-0) at Carolina Hurricanes (1-3-2)
October 28, 2016 - 7:30 p.m.
PNC Arena - Raleigh, NC
Fox Sports Carolinas | 99.9 The Fan
SB Nation rival blog: Blueshirt Banter
Vital Statistics
| Hurricanes | Rangers | |
| Record | 1-3-2 | 5-2-0 |
| Points | 4 | 10 |
| Division Rank | 8th Metro | 2nd Metro |
| Conference Rank | 16th EC | 4th EC |
| Last 10 Games | 1-3-2 | 3-3-0 |
| Streak | Lost 2 | Won 3 |
| Goals/Game | 3.00 (14) | 3.86 (1) |
| Goals Against/Game | 4.00 (29) | 2.57 (12) |
| Shots/Game | 29.2 (18) | 31.3 (8) |
| Shots Against/Game | 27.2 (24) | 25.9 (26) |
| ES Corsi For % | 53.6% (3) | 50.3% (14) |
| Faceoff % | 55.8% (2) | 51.5% (7) |
| ES PDO | 960 (30) | 1012 (8) |
| Power Play % (Rank) | 25.0% (7) | 24.0% (8) |
| Penalty Kill % (Rank) | 90.9% (3) | 85.0% (10) |
| PIM/Game | 08:19 (23) | 06:17 (29) |
| Goaltender #1 | Ward | Lundqvist |
| Record | 0-2-1 | 4-2-0 |
| ES Save % | .851 | .910 |
| GAA | 4.03 | 2.35 |
| Goaltender #2 | Lack | Raanta |
| Record | 1-1-1 | 1-0-0 |
| ES Save % | .831 | .880 |
| GAA | 3.99 | 4.00 |
*Stats from NHL.com
Game Notes:
- Jeff Skinner remains questionable to play in tonight’s game with a "middle-body injury." Skinner sat out the game in Detroit, and has been working out on his own since the injury occurred in Philadelphia. Viktor Stalberg filled in for him against the Red Wings, but the morning skate today will reveal who will slot in alongside Victor Rask and Lee Stempniak for the home opener.
- Speaking of Rask, he has begun the season on a six-game point streak, and sits one game shy of a tie with Mike Rogers, Risto Siltanen, and Keith Primeau for the Hurricanes’ second-longest point streak to begin a season.
- As for Skinner, the winger yesterday launched "53’s Difference Makers," which will recognize teachers at 15 home games, with its debut tonight. The chosen teacher(s) will receive four tickets to the game, a $1,000 donation made to their school, a post-game meet and greet, a Jeff Skinner jersey, and a $100 gift card to Stone’s Education and Toys.
- The Rangers will likely be without leading scorer Chris Kreider, as he continues to recover from a neck strain sustained last weekend. Mika Zibanejad, who was acquired from Ottawa in a trade for Derick Brassard, will look to continue to carry the brunt of the offensive load for New York.
- J.T. Miller will be another player for Carolina to keep an eye on. Last season was just his second year of playing over 50 games, but the young winger had a breakout campaign, pitching in 22 goals and 21 assists. This year he looks primed to take on an even bigger role, particularly in Kreider’s absence.
- After a relatively sour road trip, the Canes hope that returning to PNC will cure what ails them, as their team play, particularly in their defensive zone, has significantly dropped off since their win in Calgary. Carolina gained just four out of twelve possible points on their adventure across the continent, and need to get a few more wins under their belt if they want to keep up with the rest of the Metropolitan division.
- The Hurricanes do have positives to build on, including their 2nd place ranking in terms of face-off win percentage (55.8%) and their strong special teams play thus far. They currently sit at 3rd place on the penalty kill (90.9%) and 7th on the power play (25.0%), while New York is 10th on the PK (85.0%) and 8th on the PP (24.0%).
- Eight players have yet to play in PNC Arena for the home team. Lee Stempniak, Teuvo Teravainen, Klas Dahlbeck, Martin Frk, Jakub Nakladal, Sebastian Aho, Bryan Bickell, and Viktor Stalberg will all likely make their home debut by the end of the weekend.
- If you missed the announcement yesterday, check out what the Canes promotion team has lined up for you at tonight's home opener.