Having Fun
The Hurricanes fell short when they matched up against the defending Stanley Cup champions and top team in the Western Conference on Thursday.
That was that, and the Canes turned the page on Wednesday in Glendale.
PROJECTED LINEUP
The Canes worked through teaching moments in video prior to a spirited practice, in which a number of competitive, head-to-head drills drove up the intensity and rowdiness of what would have been an otherwise mundane, midweek skate.
"We just tried to keep it light and upbeat, get a little better and go at it again tomorrow," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "I like the fact that we came to have some fun today, got a little sweat and got a little better."
Various red vs. white drills - 3-on-3, 2-on-2 in the neutral zone and penalty shots - helped decide a winner. It was boisterous. It was physical, with Brock McGinn lightheartedly leveling Martin Necas in the neutral zone. And, there were perhaps more than bragging rights on the line.
"I find that if you put a little incentive on things, you get a little more out of it," Brind'Amour said. "You're playing for a little something. They had some fun with that, which is good."
Go Fish
Sebastian Aho netted his 27th goal of the season on Tuesday, extending his goal streak to three games and his point streak to four games (3g, 2a). Aho ranks tied for eighth in the NHL in goals, and he's scored 24 of his 27 since Nov. 1, fourth-most in the NHL since that time.
In seven career games against the Coyotes, Aho has registered four points (1g, 3a) and a plus-4 rating.
The Last Meeting
The Hurricanes blanked the Coyotes, 3-0, when the two teams
first met a little less than a month ago in Raleigh
. Petr Mrazek made 32 saves to earn his third shutout of the season, while Warren Foegele, Lucas Wallmark and Necas each scored their 10th goals of the season.
