What - Game 33 (17-12-3)
When - 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 21
Where - PPG Paints Arena; Pittsburgh, PA
How to Watch - Bally Sports South
The Carolina Hurricanes are on the road for just one game to face the Pittsburgh Penguins (14-13-3) tonight.
It will be the second meeting between the two Metro teams and with the way the division is going, every point is vital.
Carolina is currently on a five-game point streak and is coming off of a 6-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.
Sebastian Aho has been leading the way for the Canes offensively and Pyotr Kochetkov has been terrific.
In the month of December, Kochetkov has a 4-2-1 record with a 0.916 save percentage.
Pittsburgh defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 Tuesday night and have now won three of their last four following a four game losing streak.
It's been an up and down season for the Penguins whose top half has really been carrying the load for the team.
Without being able to play the matchup game, it will be interesting to see how the Hurricanes perform defensively.
Streaks
- Sebastian Aho (2g, 3a) and Seth Jarvis (1g, 2a) have points in three straight games
Milestone Watch
- Sebastian Aho is two points shy of 500 career points
Game Notes
- This is the second meeting between these two teams this season. Carolina won the first game 4-2 on Nov. 18.
- They will also play on Jan. 13 and March 26.
Key Matchups
Starting Goalies
- Pyotr Kochetkov: 7-6-2; 0.895 Sv%; 2.65 GAA
- Alex Nedeljkovic: 4-2-1; 0.925 Sv%; 2.58 GAA
Leading Scorers
- Goals - Sebastian Aho (12) / Sidney Crosby (18)
- Points - Sebastian Aho (30) / Jake Guentzel (34)
Power Play
- Carolina - 23.9% (9th)
- Pittsburgh - 14.4% (26th)
Penalty Kill
- Carolina - 81.4% (13th)
- Pittsburgh - 81.6% (11th)
Hurricanes Projected Lineup
Stefan Noesen - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis
Michael Bunting - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Martin Necas
Jordan Martinook - Jordan Staal - Jesper Fast
Andrei Svechnikov - Jack Drury - Teuvo Teravainen
Jaccob Slavin - Brent Burns
Brady Skjei - Brett Pesce
Dmitry Orlov - Jalen Chatfield
Pyotr Kochetkov
Yaniv Perets
Injuries and Scratches: Brendan Lemieux, Tony DeAngelo, Frederik Andersen (blood clotting issue)
Penguins Projected Lineup
Jake Guentzel - Sidney Crosby - Rickard Rakell
Reilly Smith - Evgeni Malkin - Valtteri Puustinen
Radim Zohorna - Lars Eller - Drew O'Connor
Jansen Harkins - Noel Acciari - Jeff Carter
Marcus Pettersson - Kris Letang
Ryan Graves - Erik Karlsson
John Ludvig - Chad Ruhwedel
Tristan Jarry
Alex Nedeljkovic
Injuries and Scratches: PO Joseph, Jesse Puljujarvi, Matt Nieto (undisclosed), Bryan Rust (UBI)
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