Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators: Preview, Statistics, Game Notes, How to Watch

Carolina Hurricanes (24-24-8) vs Ottawa Senators (32-20-6)
February 24, 2017 - 7:30 p.m. ET
PNC Arena - Raleigh, NC
Fox Sports Carolinas - 99.9 The Fan - WRALSportsFan web and app
SB Nation rival blog: Silver Seven Sens

Game Notes

• The post-Ron Hainsey era begins for the Carolina Hurricanes as they prepare to take on the Ottawa Senators tonight. With the veteran defenseman on his way to Pittsburgh, the Canes blueline sported a different look in yesterday’s practice. Hainsey’s most frequent partner, Justin Faulk, paired with Jaccob Slavin, and Noah Hanifin moved up into the top four paired with Brett Pesce. Ryan Murphy, who last played on Jan. 21, will draw back into the lineup paired with Klas Dahlbeck. Hainsey’s departure will leave a significant void for the league’s second-ranked penalty kill (he averaged 3:03 shorthanded minutes per game played), and how the team will adjust to his absence remains to be seen.
• Nothing new was reported from yesterday’s practice regarding the forward lines, but the team received good news off the ice. Bryan Bickell, who missed 48 games this season after receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, is ready to make a return to game action. After practicing with the team since mid-January, Bickell was placed on waivers yesterday with the objective of continuing his rehab with the Charlotte Checkers. We’ll know more about his status at the noon waiver wire, and wish Bickell all the best as he continues his return to the NHL.
• Hear a plethora of post-practice comments from Bill Peters, Bryan Bickell, Justin Faulk, Noah Hanifin, and Ron Francis.
• Expect a hard-fought, low-scoring affair against the Senators, if the season’s two prior games are any indication. The Senators won both by 2-1 scores (one in overtime and one in regulation), both featuring game-tying goals from Dion Phaneuf, late game-winners from Kyle Turris, and shutdown goaltending from Craig Anderson, who will get the call in net tonight.
• The Senators come into tonight’s game off a 2-1 win (I’m sensing a pattern here) against the New Jersey Devils. They will most likely be missing the services of three of their top six forwards. Bobby Ryan (broken finger) is out, and Mark Stone (neck) and Mike Hoffman (groin) are not expected back tonight, though both practiced with the team here at PNC Arena yesterday. Stone leads the Senators with 22 goals and is second to Erik Karlsson in points (47 to Karlsson’s 52), and Hoffman ranks fourth on the team with 39 points.
• The Hurricanes have earned at least a point in 21 of their last 27 games played against the Senators, going back to 2009. Tonight’s game marks the last of this season’s three-game series.
• In support of the NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone league initiative, the Hurricanes are hosting You Can Play Night during tonight’s game. To show support for diversity and inclusion in and around the game of hockey, players will use sticks wrapped with pride tape during warmups (to be auctioned later in the season), and members of local LGBTQ organizations will be honored during the game and will have booths set up on the concourse with information about their programs. Eddie Lack, the Canes’ You Can Play ambassador, will be featured in videos that will air during the game to support the mission of You Can Play. Special discounts are available for tickets to tonight’s game, commemorative shirts are available for purchase at The Eye, and proceeds from all auctions will benefit You Can Play. For more details, visit the Canes Promotions page.
• The Canes are also hosting a Military Drive which will continue from now through Sunday, Feb. 26. Fans who donate items for the drive (via any entrance during games and at the VIP entrance during other business hours) are eligible to be entered into a drawing to win prizes of team-signed memorabilia. Further information is also available via the Promotions page.