What - Game 31 (16-12-2)
When - 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 17
Where - PNC Arena; Raleigh, NC
How to Watch - Bally Sports South
The Carolina Hurricanes will be taking on the Washington Capitals (14-8-4) tonight for the first time this season.
The Hurricanes are coming off of a 6-5 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators on Friday, so while the offense looks to be strong, the defense and goaltending need to tighten up a bit.
In net should be Pyotr Kochetkov, who's last two outings have been strong, so perhaps the results will be a bit better.
After their disaster road trip, the Canes now have points in their last three which is the perfect timing for a turnaround coming up against a Metro rival.
Washington has lost their last two games, falling both to the Philadelphia Flyers and Predators. This will also be the second half of a back-to-back for the Caps.
Washington has been a team that's tough to figure out this year. They've been really hot and cold and their usual trump card, i.e. Alex Ovechkin and the power play have both been fairly cold, but if there's one thing that can heat OV up, it's the Canes.
Streaks
- Jack Drury has earned a point in five straight games (1g, 4a)
- Martin Necas has registered a point in three straight games (2g, 2a)
- Stefan Noesen has points in back-to-back games (1g, 2a)
Milestone Watch
- Seth Jarvis registered his 100th career point Friday night against the Nashville Predators.
- Friday was also Rod Brind'Amour's 400th career game as an NHL head coach
Game Notes
- Carolina has an all-time record of 68-90-14-13 against Washington.
- Last season, Carolina swept the season series 3-0-0 with a 3-2 SOW, 3-2 W and 4-1 W.
- The last meeting between the two teams was the NHL Stadium Series in Carter-Finley Stadium where Carolina won 4-1.
- The Canes will also take on the Caps on January 5, March 22 and April 5.
- Alex Ovechkin is one point away from 100 career points and three goals away from 50 career goals all against the Hurricanes.
Key Matchups
Starting Goalies
- Pyotr Kochetkov: 6-6-1; 0.890 Sv%; 2.77 GAA
- Darcy Kuemper: 6-6-2; 0.892 Sv%; 3.13 GAA
Leading Scorers
- Goals - Teuvo Teravainen & Sebastian Aho (11) / Dylan Strome (12)
- Points - Sebastian Aho (26) / Tom Wilson (17)
Power Play
- Carolina - 22.8% (12th)
- Washington - 10% (30th)
Penalty Kill
- Carolina - 80.2% (15th)
- Washington - 80.5% (13th)
Hurricanes Projected Lineup
Stefan Noesen - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis
Teuvo Teravainen - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Martin Necas
Jordan Martinook - Jordan Staal - Jesper Fast
Michael Bunting - Jack Drury
Jaccob Slavin - Brent Burns
Brady Skjei - Brett Pesce
Dmitry Orlov - Jalen Chatfield
Tony DeAngelo
Pyotr Kochetkov
Injuries and Scratches: Brendan Lemieux, Andrei Svechnikov (UBI), Frederik Andersen (blood clotting issue)
Capitals Projected Lineup
Alex Ovechkin - Dylan Strome - Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas - Connor McMichael - Anthony Mantha
Joe Snively - Evgeny Kuznetsov - T.J. Oshie
Beck Malenstyn - Nic Dowd - Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary - John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin - Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson - Nick Jensen
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren
Injuries and Scratches: Alexander Alexeyev, Lucas Johansen, Matthew Phillips, Nicklas Backstrom (hip), Sonny Milano (UBI), Max Pacioretty (achilles)
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