Hurricanes at Panthers: Game Preview, Notes, Statistics, How to Watch

Carolina Hurricanes (25-25-8) at Florida Panthers (28-23-10)
Tuesday, February 28, 2017 - 7:30 pm
BB&T Center – Sunrise, FL
FOX Sports Carolinas, 99.9 The Fan - WRALSportsFan Web and App
SB Nation Rival Blog: Litter Box Cats

Game Notes

• The Hurricanes limp into play tonight having gone just 1-3-1 over their past five games while Florida is not much better having lost three straight.
• The Canes have decided to fly south for winter - or at least a midweek getaway. They will play Florida tonight then head over to Tampa tomorrow night in a back to back situation.
• With the trade deadline falling between the two games, there is a good possibility that the lineup that plays tonight could be different for tomorrow. Get a good look at your favorite players because Ron Francis may send a few guys packing any moment.
• The Hurricanes penalty kill still ranks 1^st in the league but has fallen off quite a bit since the calendar turned. The unit is down to 86.5% and seems to be giving up a lot of crucial powerplay goals. Florida ranks 25^th on the powerplay so that matchup favors the Canes. That being said, the Panthers rank 3^rd on the kill while the Canes are 23^rd on the PP so special teams may be a wash.
• Justin Faulk and Jaccob Slavin will be tasked with shutting down the ageless Jaromir Jagr who will suit up for his 1,691^st career game tonight. He ranks 4^th on the Panthers in points this season with 34.
• After going 14 games without a point and many calling for him to be benched, Victor Rask has scored points in two straight games for the Canes.
• When these two teams met back on November 27^th, the Hurricanes stormed back after being down 2-0 to defeat the Panthers 3-2. The Canes scored three unanswered goals in just under four minutes in the second period to take down the Panthers for the first time since the 2014-2015 season.
• But you may remember that night better from the wackiness that transpired after the game.
• Carolina’s 6:06 average PIM per game ranks 1^st in the NHL and the team played their fourth penalty-free game of the year Sunday against the Calgary Flames.
• On paper and by all the extensive stats the Hurricanes should be much better than they have been. They lead or are near the top of the league and many categories; however the team cannot seem to string wins together to climb the standings. With the deadline looming large over everyone, don’t be surprised to see guys like Jay McClement, Viktor Stalberg, and Derek Ryan (all of whom have had trade rumors floating about) taking this game lightly as they have to wonder if they’ll be playing for the Canes come Wednesday night in Tampa.