The Carolina Hurricanes begin their critical season series with New Jersey tonight in The Rock. The Hurricanes sit just one point in back of the Devils, who currently occupy the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
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
- Defenseman Justin Faulk’s hat trick on Tuesday night made him just the 10th defenseman in NHL history to score a natural hat trick.
- The Canes, who occupy the WC2 spot, sit just one point in back of the Devils in the WC1 position, although giving up a game in
- The Hurricanes trail all-time with a 53-67-16-1 record, including a 24-36-7-1 record in New Jersey.
- Tonight marks the first matchup of four between the division rivals. They will play again on Sunday, as well as two times in March.
- The Devils won the 2016-17 season series, going 3-1-0 (the Hurricanes were 1-2-1). However, the Canes have earned a point in three straight games at Prudential Center, dating back to March 1st of 2016.
- With Devils #1 Cory Schneider working to come back from an injury, there is a chance that former Canes goalie Eddie Lack could make an appearance against his former club tonight.
-
Sebastian Aho recorded three points (3g, 0a) in four games against New Jersey in his rookie season.
-
Derek Ryan made his NHL debut and scored his first NHL goal against the Devils in March of 2016.
Storm Advisory
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Justin Williams returned to the Hurricanes to be a veteran leader on a young but talented team. [Sports Illustrated]
- Montreal sees Justin Faulk’s alleged availability on the trade block as a big opportunity for the franchise. [Eyes on the Prize]
- Joe Ovies embraced “The Fat Trick” for the second time this season, but this time employing the help of Hurricanes PA announcer Wade Minter.
- Which countries produce the most “Mama’s boys”? Justin Faulk and Jordan Staal weigh in:
- Canes fans have become familiar with the Father’s trip over the years, but this season the team will embark on a Mother’s trip, with the team moms joining the squad in New Jersey:
- Justin Faulk was on the SiriusXM Power Play with Scott Laughlin and Patrick O’Sullivan after his historic hat trick on Tuesday night. [SXM NHL Network Radio]
- “We’re more than comfortable with the group we have”, remarked GM Ron Francis as he joined Adam Gold on 99.9 The Fan yesterday. [WRAL Sports Fan]
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