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Carolina Hurricanes vs Minnesota Wild: Game Preview, Statistics, How to Watch, Game Notes

The Hurricanes take on the Wild, one of the league’s hottest teams, tonight in Raleigh.

By Jake Crouse
Jamie Kellner

Minnesota Wild (43-19-6) at Carolina Hurricanes (28-27-12)
March 16, 2017 - 7:00 p.m. ET
PNC Arena - Raleigh, NC
FOX Sports Carolinas - 99.9 The Fan - WRALSportsFan web and app
SB Nation rival blog: Hockey Wilderness

Vital Statistics

Category Hurricanes Predators
Category Hurricanes Predators
Record 29-27-12 35-24-11
Points 70 81
Division Rank 7 Metro 3 Central
Conference Rank 13 EC 7 WC
Last 10 Games 4-2-4 6-2-2
Streak Won 1 Won 3
Goals/Game 2.54 2.93
Goals Against/Game 2.82 2.76
Shots/Game 30.3 31.4
Shots Against/Game 27.9 30.4
Faceoff % 52.6% 51.1%
Power Play % (Rank) 17.4% (22) 20.4% (11)
Penalty Kill % (Rank) 84.4% (5) 79.9% (21)
ES Corsi For % 51.7% 51.25%
ES PDO 98.1 100.3
PIM/Game 6:01 10:10

Goaltender #1

Category Cam Ward Steve Mason
Category Cam Ward Steve Mason
Record 26-22-12 32-20-5
ES Save % .910 .919
GAA 2.69 2.66

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:

  • Tonight is the first matchup between the Hurricanes and the Wild this season. The Wild are favored in the matchup, aided by star goalie Devan Dubnyk (2.11 GAA) and an offense with the second-best GF in the league this season (225).
  • The Canes are 5-1-2 in home games against the Wild in history, but that includes the 2010 game in Helsinki in which the Canes were the designated home team. The last time the Canes beat the Wild at PNC Arena was a shootout win in November of 2009.
  • The Hurricanes are coming off a back-to-back against the Islanders, in which they won one and dropped one in overtime. In the two games, the Hurricanes scored 10 goals, an offense they will likely need against to counter the Wild’s prolific scorers.
  • Jaccob Slavin recorded a Monday night hat trick on the road against the Islanders, boosting his goal total for the season from 2 to 5. Slavin’s hot stick could be useful to create offensive pressure from the blue line if he can keep it up.
  • 21-year-old Lucas Wallmark scored his first NHL point on an assist of Joakim Nordstrom’s goal on Tuesday night, recording 10:00 of ice time and 1 shot. Wallmark stepped in for the injured Valentin Zykov, who suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday’s game against the Maple Leafs.
  • Long-time Hurricanes captain Eric Staal will face off against brother Jordan Staal and his former team for the first time this season. Eric was traded by the Hurricanes in the 2015-2016 season to the New York Rangers, and he joined Minnesota as a free agent on a three-year deal beginning this season.
  • Tonight is the second of three Pet Supply Drive games benefitting the SPCA of Wake County and Second Chance Pet Adoptions. Bring pet supplies to any entrance tonight and you’ll be entered to win one of five prizes. More details and a list of needed supplies are available at hurricanes.com/promotions.
  • It’s also St. Baldrick’s Night, and the first 185 participants who shave their heads to support childhood cancer research will each receive two tickets to tonight’s game. The festivities begin at 4:30 on the south plaza; if you’d like to participate, the registration form is here.