Preview: Panthers vs. Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes draw the curtains on their season-long, six-game homestand with a Black Friday match-up against the Florida Panthers.
The Hurricanes have earned seven out of a possible 10 points (3-1-1) on the homestand to date. On Wednesday, the Canes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, 5-2.

Making a Statement
On the eve of Thanksgiving, Toronto ranked first in the Eastern Conference and sported a league-best 9-1-0 record on the road.
The Hurricanes, though, were more than up for the task. Trevor van Riemsdyk and Justin Williams scored 22 seconds apart in the first period to give the Canes a 2-0 lead. Micheal Ferland notched the game-winning goal with his team-leading fifth power-play marker of the season in the third period, and though Toronto would pull within a goal at 3-2, Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov potted empty-netters in the game's waning minutes to seal the Canes' 10th win of the season.
"It was huge," Ferland said. "Coming into tonight, we wanted to make a statement that we could play with any team. I thought we played really good tonight."
"We had a great game today. The boys were on fire," Svechnikov said. "We scored the first couple of goals. That's important for us to score first."
Mac Attack
Curtis McElhinney stopped 30 of the 32 shots he faced against his latest former team to earn his second consecutive win and fifth in seven starts with the Canes this season.
PROJECTED LINEUP
"Curtis has come in and been solid. He's done everything we've asked him to do. It's not an easy situation for him. He has to leave his family. He comes down here. I think he's still in a hotel. It sucks for him probably," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "He's a professional. There's a reason why a guy lasts that long. You can see it."
Rasking for It
Victor Rask made his season debut on Wednesday after missing the first 20 games of the season following right-hand surgery. Rask centered the fourth line and skated in 10:32 of ice time, logging two shots, one hit and a 57-percent faceoff win rate.
"I thought he looked great. He didn't play much, but the shifts he had were productive. I think we'll still probably ease him in a little bit, but he looks like he's right where he probably needs to be," Brind'Amour said. "I know he would have loved to play a little more, so we'll have to figure that out as we go, but there's no real rush to bury him right away. This was a good step in the right direction."
The Opposition
After winning five in a row, beginning with the second game of the NHL Global Series in Finland, the Panthers have dipped to 1-3-0 in their last four. In that stretch - all a part of a six-game road trip that concludes tonight in Raleigh - the Panthers have surrendered seven goals twice and scored seven goals once. In total, the Panthers and their opponents have combined for 38 goals in the last four games (9.5 goals per game average).
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Home Cooking
The Hurricanes have collected seven of a possible 10 points (3-1-1) during their season-long, six-game homestand. Finish strong tonight.
2. Chow Down
Each of the Panthers' last four games have been high-scoring affairs, and we've seen what the Canes' offense is capable of. Feast on quality scoring opportunities and second and third chances.
3. Beat the Rush
The Canes are at their best when they're playing on their toes and limiting the opponents' chances. Play up the ice, play fast and limit mistakes.
AT THE RINK
In addition to snagging tickets up to 75 percent off for tonight's game, all fans in attendance have access to
Black Friday merchandise and concessions discounts
, as well. At The Eye team store, blank white jerseys (both Adidas and Fanatics) are 50 percent off, and select headwear and knits are $10. Small popcorn is $1, Aquafina water (20 oz. bottle) is $3, soda (20 oz. bottle) is $3 and Bud Light (16 oz. bottle) is $5.
WORTH A CLICK
News
Videos
Gameday Links
WATCH, LISTEN & STREAM
Watch: FOX Sports Carolinas,
FOX Sports app
Listen: 99.9 The Fan,
Hurricanes app
,
Hurricanes.com/Listen