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Carolina Hurricanes (12-11-7) vs. Buffalo Sabres (12-11-6)
Saturday, December 17, 2016 - 7:00 PM
PNC Arena - Raleigh, North Carolina
Fox Sports Carolinas, 99.9 The Fan, WRALSportsFan App
Rival SB Nation Blog – Die by the Blade
Vital Statistics
| Category | Hurricanes | Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Hurricanes | Blue Jackets |
| Record | 21-15-7 | 29-9-4 |
| Points | 49 | 62 |
| Division Rank | 6 Metro | 2 Metro |
| Conference Rank | 9 EC | 2 EC |
| Last 10 Games | 6-4-0 | 6-4-0 |
| Streak | Won | Loss 1 |
| Goals/Game | 2.77 | 3.31 |
| Goals Against/Game | 2.63 | 2.24 |
| Shots/Game | 30.6 | 30.3 |
| Shots Against/Game | 27.6 | 29.8 |
| Faceoff % | 51.7% | 47.7% |
| Power Play % (Rank) | 17.2% (18) | 26.0% (1) |
| Penalty Kill % (Rank) | 88.7% (1) | 83.0% (10) |
| ES Corsi For % | 52.1% | 55.1% |
| ES PDO | 99.4 | 101.3 |
| PIM/Game | 05:95 | 08:93 |
Projected Starting Goaltenders
| Category | Cam Ward | Petr Mrazek |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cam Ward | Petr Mrazek |
| Record | 10-8-6 | 9-6-3 |
| ES Save % | .914 | .912 |
| GAA | 2.30 | 2.98 |
Projected Backups
| Category | Michael Leighton | Jimmy Howard |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Michael Leighton | Jimmy Howard |
| Record | 2-1-0 | 5-7-1 |
| ES Save % | .857 | .937 |
| GAA | 3.53 | 1.95 |
Game Notes
- The Hurricanes’ overtime loss last night against the Washington Capitals marked the end of their seven-game home win streak.
- After falling last night, the Hurricanes are now 1-3-1 in the front half of back-to-back situations this season. However, they are impressive in the second leg of back-to-backs this season, compiling a 3-1-0 record.
- The Buffalo Sabres played last night in their home building where they defeated the New York Islanders in OT. The Hurricanes need to take advantage of their tired legs tonight if they want to walk away with 2 points.
- The Sabres dominated the season series in 2015-16, sweeping all three games from the Hurricanes. The Canes will play their former rivals 3 times this season; twice on Edwards Mill Road.
- Justin Faulk and Buffalo’s Justin Falk will both be in the lineup tonight, surely causing an annoyance for play-by-play announcers John Forslund and Chuck Kaiton.
- The Sabres have the worst penalty kill in the NHL. Carolina’s 6th ranked penalty kill needs to capitalize on the Sabres loose special teams play tonight.
- After a Justin Faulk goal last night, all fans get a free side of queso at Moe’s Southwest Grill today.
#Canes fans can also get a free side of queso from @MoesTriangle today after this @JustinFaulk27 goal last night. pic.twitter.com/Q9kttcsxTO
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) December 17, 2016
- Tonight is the last night to take advantage of the great Family Night discount. Check it out here.
The Family Night discount expires tonight for Saturday's #Sabres vs. #Canes game.
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) December 17, 2016
Get tickets now → https://t.co/llkoeqWoEy pic.twitter.com/1aAsmGMnuA
Projected Lines and Rosters
Neither team skated this morning based on the back-to-back situation, but here’s what you can expect tonight.
Hurricanes
Jeff Skinner - Victor Rask - Derek Ryan
Joakim Nordstrom - Jordan Staal - Elias Lindholm
Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen - Lee Stempniak
Brock McGinn - Jay McClement - Viktor Stalberg
Jaccob Slavin - Brett Pesce
Ron Hainsey - Justin Faulk
Noah Hanifin - Matt Tennyson
Cam Ward
Michael Leighton
Injuries and Scratches: Bryan Bickell (IR multiple sclerosis), Eddie Lack (IR concussion), Ryan Murphy (healthy), Andrej Nestrasil (healthy)
Sabres
Matt Moulson - Jack Eichel - Kyle Okposo
Will Carrier - Ryan O’Reilly - Sam Reinhart
Marcus Foligno - Johan Larsson - Brian Gionta
Evander Kane - Zemgus Girgensons - Nicolas Deslauriers
Jake McCabe - Rasmus Ristolainen
Josh Gorges - Dmity Kulikov
Justin Falk - Cody Franson
Anders Nilsson
Robin Lehner
Injuries and Scratches: Cody McCormick, Taylor Fedun, Tyler Ennis, Zach Bogosian
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