Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

Hope everyone survived Snowpocalypse 2020.

Coming off a wildly successful Mom’s trip to Music City that culminated in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators, the Carolina Hurricanes return home tonight to take on the New York Rangers in a humongous big Metro division matchup. The Canes remain in a dogfight for an Eastern Conference wildcard spot.

Meanwhile, the Rangers are 3-0-0 against Carolina this season and looking to complete the sweep, with the addition of a familiar face that will surely be motivated to light up the scoreboard against his former team.

Game Notes

• Thanks to yet another three-point game in the Metro (as in thanks for nothing Flyers and Blue Jackets), this morning the Canes find themselves dropping from the first to the second wild card spot. The Canes are three points behind the Flyers (third in Metro) with two games in hand, one point behind the Blue Jackets (first wild card) with three games in hand, and tied with the Islanders but owning the tie-breaker in regulation wins.
• ”Fleury looks like he’s fine” - These were welcome words from Rod Brind’Amour in yesterday’s post-practice scrum. Haydn Fleury was having himself a game Tuesday before leaving the ice in the third period after an awkward fall. He reportedly underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday but was back at practice yesterday and should be ready to go tonight.
• Jordan Martinook also practiced Thursday and is nearing a return, though Brind’Amour was uncertain whether he would be ready to crack the lineup this weekend.
• Six different Rangers players found the scoresheet in a 6-3 win over Chicago Wednesday night. The Rangers, transparent regarding their rebuilding status, are 7-3-1 in their last ten games and sit six spots out of a playoff spot. As previously mentioned, they’ve won all three of the games against the Canes so far this season; once at PNC Arena and twice at MSG.
• Tonight’s story-within-a-story is the return of Julien Gauthier, who was traded to New York on Tuesday in exchange for defensive prospect Joey Keane. Gauthier was in the lineup for the Rangers’ win in Chicago and played 7:18 of even strength time with one shot, one hit, two giveaways, and drew a penalty. He’ll certainly be motivated to find the scoresheet tonight against the team that drafted him.
• Here’s a quick Canes Country contest: How many total points do the former Canes put up tonight? Include Julien Gauthier, Greg McKegg, Phil Di Giuseppe, and what the heck, might as well include Adam Fox. Reply in the comments with your best guess. No prizes are available but the winner gets bragging rights and the unwavering respect of their peers.
• One more thing... as if there wasn’t enough motivation already, the Rangers moms are along for this trip.
• Tonight’s game opens the Canes’ 10th set of 16 sets of back-to-back games this season. The Canes are 6-3-0 in the first game and 5-4-0 in the second game of back-to-backs so far. They’re also 7-3-1 in their black jerseys, which they’ll be wearing tonight.
• Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov are going streaking: Aho has points in 10 straight games (10g, 6a), and Svechnikov has points in eight straight (5g, 5a).
• Congratulations to Brock McGinn who will play in his 300th career NHL game tonight!

Storm Advisory

• PNC Arena will be storming and swarming tonight as the Canes host their first ever Charlotte Hornets night. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Hornets night rally towel, and limited edition posters will be available.

• The annual Canes Foundation Book Drive is also back beginning tonight:

• Learn more about the Moms in Music City on Episode 125 of the CanesCast.
• Congratulations to the NC State Icepack, winners of the ACCHL championship for the second year in a row! [Technician]
• The Penguins and Canadiens made a four-player trade involving Riley Barber, Phil Varone, Joseph Blandisi, and Jake Lucchini. [Pens.com] [Habs.com]
• Florida man gets traded: The Panthers sent Anthony Greco to the Lightning in exchange for Danick Martel. [Panthers.com]
• Seven Stanley Cup contenders have not yet made a move as the trade deadline approaches (alternative title, Canadian press called WHO? a Stanley Cup contender?) [TSN.ca]
• From last night’s Jackets vs. Flyers tilt: Nathan Gerbe is ten pounds of badass in a five-pound bag (Travis Sanheim is 6’4” by the way).

• Last but not least, here’s another reminder that it’s not too late to make plans to join Canes Country at Buffalo Brothers in Raleigh for a Canes/Leafs watch party Saturday night. Event details and directions can be found —> here. Hope to see you there!