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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

The Hurricanes take on Alex Ovechkin and his Capitals tonight in DC as they try to inch closer to a playoff berth.

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Jamie Kellner

The Hurricanes take on the Washington Capitals in the first game of two this week against the Metropolitan Division leading Washington Capitals. The next two games will go a long in way in determining the Hurricanes’ fate at the end of the regular season.


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

  • Carolina takes on the Capitals tonight in the third of four matchups this season. The Capitals have accrued a record of 2-0-0 against the Canes this season (Carolina is 0-1-1).
  • The Capitals will be traveling to Raleigh tomorrow for the fourth and final game in the season series. The next two games have huge implications in the playoff race. The Hurricanes could move even closer to clinching a playoff spot with a pair of wins against the Metropolitan Division leaders.
  • Sebastian Aho earned a four point night (2g, 2a) against the Capitals while Teuvo Teravainen picked up three points (1g, 2a) on December 13th in an eventual shootout loss. Aho and Teravainen seem to rise to the occasion against good teams, and both of them have done just that against the Capitals in their careers. Aho has 16 points (8g, 8a) in 10 career games and Teravainen has 12 points (4g, 8a) in 12 games against the Eastern Conference juggernaut.
  • After picking up the overtime winner against Montreal on Sunday night, Andrei Svechnikov has reached 20 goals in his rookie season (and all were scored at even strength). He ranks tied for second among NHL rookies in goals and leads NHL rookies in even strength tallies. He’s just the fourth rookie in franchise history since relocation to score 20 goals in his rookie season.
  • The Hurricanes have won 27 of their last 38 games, and they’ve only lost nine of those 38 in regulation. That’s second-best in the NHL behind - you guessed it - the Washington Capitals.
  • Tonight’s matchup is the national game on NBC Sports Network. Mike Maniscalco will be on the call on the Canes Radio Network alongside Tripp Tracy.


Storm Advisory

  • Tonight’s opponent visited the White House yesterday. [NHL]
  • Support the Lady Canes, Jr. Hurricanes U19 Girls, and Jr. Hurricanes U14 Girls teams advancing to Nationals by buying discounted tickets to see the Hurricanes take on the Capitals Thursday. [Hurricanes]
  • Hurricanes fans have something to believe in again, and it feels good, man. [The Athletic $]
  • Barry Melrose had some good things to say about this Hurricanes team.

Stalking the Standings

The Canes have a huge two game series this week against the Capitals. The Islanders take on the Blue Jackets tonight as Columbus fights for their playoff hopes while the Canadiens face off against the Panthers. Here’s how the standings are looking as of last night.

  • Metro 1: Washington Capitals: 76 GP, 96 points, 104 pt pace, 40 ROW
  • Metro 2: New York Islanders: 76 GP, 95 points, 103 pt pace, 40 ROW
  • Metro 3: Pittsburgh Penguins: 77 GP, 95 points, 100 pt pace, 40 ROW
  • WC 1: Carolina Hurricanes: 75 GP, 91 points, 99 pt pace, 40 ROW
  • WC 2: Montreal Canadiens: 76 GP, 88 points, 95 pt pace, 38 ROW
  • 9th: Columbus Blue Jackets: 75 GP, 86 points, 94 pt pace, 39 ROW

Tonight’s Rooting Guide

  • No overtime in Blue Jackets vs. Islanders
  • Panthers over Canadiens