Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders: Preview, Notes, Rosters, How to Watch

Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders
March 14th, 2017 - 7:00 pm ET
PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC
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Game Notes

• Canes fans... While you’re enjoying half-price pizza and free queso today (have some pie too since it’s 3.14), ponder this crazy stat: since January 1, the Carolina Hurricanes have played 10% of their games (3 of 30) against the New York Islanders, and in those three games they’ve scored 26% of their goals (20 of 76).
• According to Elias Sports Bureau, Jaccob Slavin is the youngest defenseman to score a hat trick in Hurricanes franchise history, and his three goals plus two from Justin Faulk last night were the first multi-goal games by two defensemen in the league since Shea Weber and Ryan Suter (I hear they’re pretty good) accomplished the same feat for the Predators on Oct. 22, 2009.
• Both teams departed the New York metro area in the nick of time to beat the winter storm, and with a late arrival in Raleigh, coupled with less than 24 hours between games, neither team skated or held a media scrum this morning.
• Bill Peters reported Monday he intended to start both goaltenders in the back-to-back series, so Eddie Lack is expected to make the start tonight for the Canes but he changed his mind and Cam Ward gets the start instead. Lucas Wallmark will make his PNC Arena debut, after logging 10 minutes in last night’s game where he won four of six face-offs and played a key role in Joakim Nordstrom’s goal. Healthy extra Ryan Murphy may draw back in on defense tonight, especially now that Justin Faulk is a game-time decision after blocking a shot last night.
• Expect last night’s 8-4 barn burner not to sit well with the Isles, who will seek redemption after an embarrassing performance in front of their home crowd for the first time in 22 days. Two losses in a row have them scrambling for the final wild card spot in the East, trailing Toronto by one point. Thomas Greiss, who relieved Jean-Francois Berube but gave up four goals on 20 shots, is expected to be tonight’s starter. Rookie Joshua Ho-Sang tallied a goal and assist and has four points in his last four games played, and former Hurricane Andrew Ladd is riding a four-game points streak (2g, 2a).
• Tonight’s game marks the fourth of five games this season between the Canes and Isles (Canes are 3-0-0 so far with one win in overtime), and they’ll wrap up with one more here in Raleigh on Apr. 6.
• The Canes are playing in their 13th of 17 sets of back-to-back games tonight, with a 7-3-3 record in the front halves and 6-4-2 in the back halves.
• At the arena tonight.... The Canes are holding a Pet Supply Drive between now and Mar. 18, benefitting the SPCA of Wake County and Second Chance Pet Adoptions. Bring in needed pet items at the game (or between games at the VIP entrance) and be registered to win team-signed memorabilia. A list of items and prizes can be found on the Promotions page.

Projected Lineups

These have been updated with Bill Peters’ pregame comments that Cam Ward will start tonight. Also, Justin Faulk is a game-time decision after blocking a shot last night. If he does not play, Ryan Murphy will draw back into the lineup.

Hurricanes

Sebastian Aho - Jordan Staal - Teuvo Teravainen
Jeff Skinner - Victor Rask - Elias Lindholm
Jay McClement - Derek Ryan - Patrick Brown
Joakim Nordstrom - Lucas Wallmark - Lee Stempniak

Jaccob Slavin - Justin Faulk
Noah Hanifin - Brett Pesce
Klas Dahlbeck - Matt Tennyson

Cam Ward
Eddie Lack

Injuries and Scratches: Ryan Murphy (healthy), Brock McGinn (upper body), Phil Di Giuseppe (upper body), Valentin Zykov (upper body)

Islanders

Anders Lee - John Tavares - Josh Bailey
Andrew Ladd - Ryan Strome - Jason Chimera
Nikolay Kulemin - Brock Nelson - Josh Ho-Sang
Stephen Gionta - Anthony Beauvillier - Cal Clutterbuck

Nick Leddy - Adam Pelech
Calvin de Haan - Travis Hamonic
Thomas Hickey - Dennis Seidenberg

Thomas Greiss
Jean-Francois Berube

Injuries and Scratches: Casey Cizikas (upper body), Alan Quine (upper body), Shane Prince (upper body), Johnny Boychuk (lower body), Scott Mayfield (healthy)