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The Hurricanes face off tonight against the buzzsaw that is the Lightning in Raleigh to cap off the season series between the two teams, as the Hurricanes look to keep pace in the playoff race and avoid a clean season sweep at the hands of Tampa Bay.
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 Lightning gutted out an overtime win in Washington against the Capitals last night by a score of 5-4. The Hurricanes will certainly be the more rested team tonight in PNC Arena, but can they capitalize on that?
- The Lightning currently sit atop the NHL standings with 118 points. The record for most points in a season is 132, which was set by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976-77. The Lightning would need to pick up a nearly perfect 14 points in their remaining eight games in order to tie the record.
- The Hurricanes are 0-2-0 against the Lightning this season, dropping their matchups in October and January.
- Justin Williams recorded his 300th career goal with a tally on January 10th in Tampa Bay.
- The Hurricanes’ 24 wins in 34 games since New Year’s Day is eclipsed only by the Lightning, who have recorded 26 wins in 34 games in the same frame.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy got the start in Washington last night and made a franchise record-breaking 54 saves to secure the team’s 6th consecutive win.
Storm Advisory
- Canes players met with members of the Junior Hurricanes 10 and under Girls team on Tuesday night after the win.
Last night #Canes players meet with members of Jr Canes 10 & under Girls team post win. Canes players had worn workout shirts w/ girl’s players name/number the last 24 hours. Look at their faces. Zoom in. Really, ZOOM! Special night. Impact not just now but years from now. pic.twitter.com/PXG4S5Fdnx
— Jon Chase (@JChasesthoughts) March 20, 2019
More photos from Jr. Canes 10 & under girls team meeting members of the Canes last night.
— Jon Chase (@JChasesthoughts) March 20, 2019
The energy & excitement from girls squad matched incredible atmosphere during #Canes game.
Thanks to my team, players, parents for all helping make it come together. pic.twitter.com/IxO61gDUIv
- The Hurricanes are hosting American Sign Language Night on Thursday, April 4th in PNC Arena in a game against the Devils. Check out the awesome promotional tickets they’re running for the game here.
- The NHL draft lottery and how it’s all going down this year. [ESPN]
- Calvin de Haan spoke a bit about his injury and how soon he anticipates being back in the lineup after a scary eye injury.
An update from @cal_dehaan on his status and how his eye injury is progressing. https://t.co/rxFOPOkbB1
— Mike Maniscalco (@mikemaniscalco) March 20, 2019
- The Canes will be offering $35 lower level tickets for Sunday’s game against Montreal with a portion of the proceeds going toward Officer Ainsworth and his family.
We're offering $35 lower level tickets for this Sunday’s big matchup vs. Montreal.
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) March 20, 2019
$5 from each ticket sold will go directly to Officer Ainsworth and his family in support of his recovery.
» https://t.co/9C5iDYmLCE pic.twitter.com/yJ4TObLTbk
Stalking the Standings
ICYMI, we took a more in depth look at the relevant portion of the standings yesterday in By The Numbers. Basically everyone in direct competition with the Hurricanes will be in action tonight, so it’s very important for the Hurricanes to come out of tonight’s matchup with something to show for it.
- Metro 1: Washington Capitals: 74 GP, 94 points, 104 pt pace, 39 ROW
- Metro 2: New York Islanders: 73 GP, 91 points, 102 pt pace, 38 ROW
- Metro 3: Pittsburgh Penguins: 74 GP, 89 points, 99 pt pace, 38 ROW
- WC 1: Carolina Hurricanes: 72 GP, 87 points, 99 pt pace, 38 ROW
- WC 2: Columbus Blue Jackets: 73 GP, 84 points, 94 pt pace, 39 ROW
- 9th: Montreal Canadiens: 73 GP, 83 points, 93 pt pace, 36 ROW
- 10th: Philadelphia Flyers: 73 GP, 78 points, 88 pt pace, 33 ROW