Game Day Preview: Carolina Hurricanes vs Detroit Red Wings
Carolina Hurricanes (13-11-7) vs Detroit Red Wings (14-14-4)
The Carolina Hurricanes face off with the Detroit Red Wings tonight at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes look to exact revenge for the 4-2 loss to the Wings back in October. Both teams won on Saturday night and had Sunday off, so I expect a fast paced, hard fought battle between the two Eastern Conference rivals.
Game Day By the Numbers
Hurricanes  |
Red Wings |
|
|---|---|---|
| Record | 13-11-7 | 14-14-4 |
| Last Result | 2-1 W (S/O) vs BUF | 6-4 W vs ANA |
| Last 10 | 4-3-3 | 4-4-2 |
| FO% | 51.7% | 52.7% |
| CF% | 51.78% | 47.49% |
| GF/GP (Differential) | 2.68 (-3) | 2.31 (-15) |
| PP% (Goals) | 21.7% (20) | 13% (14) |
| SH% (Goals) | 91.3% (4) | 82.8% (2) |
Who’s Hot
Sebastian Aho has the hot hand right now. He has three points in his last 3 games, and while being held pointless on Saturday night, Aho had the game winner in the shoot out. Aho is finding his stride in the NHL and is starting to show why he is highly touted.
"Oh my goodness. That was sick." —@JohnForslund calling @SebastianAho's shootout goal
Watch it again! ???? #Redvolution pic.twitter.com/946u0AtNgB
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) December 18, 2016
Who’s Not
The Hurricanes third period performance, every night! Thats what makes my “Who’s Not” category. I wont even mention the fact that they are blowing leads in the third period, which they definitely are. Teams make come backs and push harder, late in the game when trailing, so thats understandable. The problem is the way in which the Hurricanes concede possession in the neutral zone, don’t forecheck, and then fall back into a defensive shell. They play two periods of dominating, agressive hockey and that is what gets them the lead in the first place. For some reason though, when the third period comes they lose that mentality entirely. The Hurricanes beat the Sabres on Saturday night in the shoot out, but it should have never made it to that point.
This chart sums it up pretty well…
I don't like to check the stats during the game but…. pic.twitter.com/b3zLdbSe5J
— Corey Sznajder (@ShutdownLine) December 18, 2016
Storylines
Only one point separates the Hurricanes and the Red Wings, as both teams sit on the outside of the playoff wild card spots. I expect the game to be tight defensively, and also to get a little big chippy. The Hurricanes don’t typically play that style of hockey, but these are two big points on the line.
The Hurricanes are two games above .500 for the first time this season. After a poor start to the season, they are now back on the right track towards the post season. It will be tough in the strong Metropolitan Division, but they are making it interesting. The Canes have a chance tonight to go three games over .500 and put the uninspiring start behind them.
Lineup
| Hurricanes |
||
|---|---|---|
| Forwards | ||
| Skinner | Rask | Ryan |
| Nordstrom | Staal | Lindholm |
| Aho | Teravainen | Stempniak |
| McGinn | McClement | Stalberg |
| Defense | ||
| Slavin/Pesce | ||
| Faulk/Hainsey | ||
| Hanifin/Tennyson | ||
| Goalies | ||
| Ward | ||
| Leighton |
How To Watch
PNC Arena: Puck Drop at 7:00 pm ET
Watch: Fox Sports Carolinas / Fox Sports Go app
Listen: 99.9 FM The Fan / WRALsportsfan.com
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