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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

The Carolina Hurricanes are back on the road as they look to get on track after a tough loss at home.

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NHL: Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Hurricanes embark on yet another road trip as they take on the Panthers tonight in Florida. They will be in Dallas to face the Stars on Saturday. Both games are crucial as they try to keep pace in the elusive playoff race.


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

  • The Hurricanes and Panthers are meeting for the second of three matchups between the teams this season. The Canes will be in Florida for the final matchup of the season on March 2nd.
  • The Canes won the first meeting of the season by a score of 4-1 at PNC Arena on November 23rd. Jordan Martinook, who scored the team’s only goal in the loss on Tuesday to New York, recorded his first career hat trick in the November win. Curtis McElhinney made 34 saves in the win.
  • Even after a loss on Tuesday night, the Hurricanes have posted a record of 16-6-1 for 33 points over their last 23 games. That’s the second best record in the league in that time span.
  • Sebastian Aho leads the team and comes in at 6th in the league with 28 points (9g, 19a) in that span.
  • Justin Williams recorded 10 shots on goal for the first time in his career on Tuesday, including a golden opportunity in the waning seconds that Henrik Lundqvist somehow got a pad on.
  • Tonight is the first game of the Canes’ annual Mentor’s Trip, in which fathers and other family members will join the Canes on the road for the next three days.

Storm Advisory

  • Trade Alert: Charlie Coyle has been traded to Boston in exchange for Ryan Donato and a fifth-round pick.
  • Behind the scenes of an NHL trade. [The Athletic]
  • This is classic Lou.
  • The Sharks and Ducks are working on a trade that involves Ryan Miller.
  • Patrick Kane is exceptional.
  • Interesting.

Stalking the Standings

No matter how much we watch the standings, the Hurricanes will need to win games against teams like Florida if they want to keep pace with the pack. Here’s how last night’s games affected their chances:

Islanders lose to the Flames

Updated Standings

Rooting Guide for Tonight:

  • Sharks over Penguins
  • Maple Leafs over Capitals
  • Flyers over Canadiens and no overtime
  • Lightning over Sabres
  • Oilers over Islanders