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The Hurricanes have established themselves as a streaky team early on this season. This afternoon they will try to break out of their habit of losing multiple games in a row. In order to salvage more than one win and two points on this four game homestand the Canes will need to beat one of the best teams in the NHL. The Predators come into this game flaming hot picking up 9 of their last 10 games including a current 4 game win streak.
Vital Statistics
| Category | Hurricanes | Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Hurricanes | Bruins |
| Record | 8-6 | 11-5 |
| Goals/Game | 2.79 | 3.31 |
| Goals Against/Game | 2.71 | 2.06 |
| Shots/Game | 30.9 | 34.3 |
| Faceoff % | 49.1% | 53.3% |
| Power Play % (Rank) | 10.0% (14) | 31.9% (1) |
| Penalty Kill % (Rank) | 70.8% (14) | 85.7% (4) |
| ES Corsi For % | 55.61% | 51.66% |
| ES PDO | 101.2% | 101.0 |
| PIM/Game | 8:38 | 6:30 |
Goaltender #1
| Category | Petr Mrazek | Tuukka Rask |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Petr Mrazek | Tuukka Rask |
| Record | 5-5 | 11-5 |
| Save % | .894 | .939 |
| GAA | 2.73 | 1.96 |
Goaltender #2
| Category | Curtis McElhinney | Jaroslav Halak |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Curtis McElhinney | Jaroslav Halak |
| Record | 3-1 | 0-0 |
| Save % | .943 | N/A |
| GAA | 1.70 | N/A |
Game Notes
- The Hurricanes trail the Nashville Predators in the all-time series with a record of 10-11-3-1, but have posted a more impressive 7-1-3-1 in PNC Arena.
- Tonight is the first of the two game series between the two side, playing once more on 12/21 in Nashville.
- The Hurricanes swept the 2016-17 series against the Western Conference champions with a 2-0-0 record.
- Jeff Skinner led the team with 3 goals in the two game series against the Predators last season. He’s notched 14 points (8g, 6a) against the Predators in 11 games played.
- Nashville head coach Peter Laviolette served as the Hurricanes head coach between 2003 and 2009, winning a Stanley Cup in 2006. His 167 wins puts him second in franchise history in all-time wins.
Lines and Rosters
With an early start, the Hurricanes won’t hold a morning skate. Yesterday’s practice revealed a few possible lineup changes. Josh Jooris took Phil Di Giuseppe’s spot on the fourth line, Brett Pesce and Justin Faulk swapped spots on the blue line, and Klas Dahlbeck skated with Haydn Fleury which may mean Trevor van Riemsdyk sits out today. Expect to see Darling back between the pipes.
Hurricanes
Teuvo Teravainen - Jordan Staal - Sebastian Aho
Brock McGinn - Victor Rask - Elias Lindholm
Jeff Skinner - Derek Ryan - Justin Williams
Joakim Nordstrom - Marcus Kruger - Josh Jooris
Jaccob Slavin - Justin Faulk
Noah Hanifin - Brett Pesce
Haydn Fleury - Klas Dahlbeck
Scott Darling
Cam Ward
Predators
Filip Forseberg - Ryan Johansen - Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala - Kyle Turris - Craig Smith
Pontus Aberg - Nick Bonino - Calle Jarnkrok
Miikka Salomaki - Colton Sissons - Austin Watson
Roman Josi - Mattias Ekholm
Alexei Emelin - P.K. Subban
Anthony Bitetto - Matt Irwin
Pekka Rinne
Jusse Saros