Trick or Treat
With 13 points in their first 11 games, the Hurricanes sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division heading into their final game of October. Points against Boston would only bolster the team before they head off on a weeklong, four-game road trip.
PROJECTED LINEUP
In order to do so, the Hurricanes will have to bounce back after falling 2-1 to the Islanders, who were content to sit on their leads when they had them.
"They did a great job clearing the front of the net. We didn't have many second opportunities," Justin Williams said after the game. "We need a little bit more, especially in games like this."
"I felt like, right from the start, we were just a tad off maybe," Brind'Amour said. "When we were good, we still couldn't find the net. A couple breakdowns. Frustrating is a good word for it."
Aho Takes it to 11
Sebastian Aho was, of course, involved in the Canes' lone scoring play on Sunday, dishing the primary assist off to Teuvo Teravainen for the goal. Aho now has points in 11 straight games (4g, 12a) to start the season, matching the franchise record for the longest season-opening point streak set by Ron Francis in 1984-85.
"Good players find a way to contribute on the scoresheet. He's done that," Brind'Amour said. "That streak, he might go out tomorrow and play his best game and not get a point. Those things kind of happen by chance, but the good players always seem to be around it, and he's going to be around it for sure."
Tuesday's game is an opportunity for Aho to break Francis' record and also equal Eric Staal's record for longest point streak since relocation (12 games). Mike Rogers holds the franchise record for the longest point streak at 18 games.
Darling Returns?
Brind'Amour didn't commit to a starting goaltender for Tuesday when asked about it after practice on Monday, but perhaps Scott Darling will make his first start of the regular season.
"I'm super excited to get into a game and get rolling," he said on Friday. "I've been looking forward to it for a while."
Darling, who suffered a lower-body injury in the Canes' final preseason game, was activated off injured reserve last week before making a conditioning start with the Checkers and made 25 saves on 26 shots.
"It was more just getting timing back. I got to practice for about a week before I went down there. Even in practice, you can't really replicate game reps, situations or the intensity," Darling said. "It was good to see all of that."
In the absence of Darling, who was expected to be the Canes' Opening Night starter, Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney, claimed off waivers the first week of October, have handled business in the team's 6-4-1 start to the season.
"The guys have played great. I think both goalies have played well. Scoring goals, really outworking teams, skating fast," Darling said. "It's a great group, a great vibe, a great energy to be around. I'm excited to be back and be a part of it."
The Opposition
After being shut out 3-0 by Montreal at home on Saturday, the Bruins sit at 6-3-2 on the season. Defenseman Torey Krug is likely to make his regular-season debut for the Bruins after missing the first month of the season with an ankle injury.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS KEYS TO THE GAME
