Gameday: Senators vs. Hurricanes

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This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information related to tonight's game between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes in one handy location. Make this a regular stop throughout the day, as we update it with notes, videos, photos and more as puck drop draws near.
The Hurricanes will hold a 10:30 a.m. morning skate at PNC Arena and, as always, we'll be rinkside to bring you the latest.
Last updated: 7:20 p.m.

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA TOOLS TO VICTORY
7:20 p.m.
Mike Maniscalco delivers tonight's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina three Tools to Victory.

IN THE ROOM
4:50 p.m.
Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner chats with Mike Maniscalco after today's morning skate.

PREGAME: PETERS
11:50 a.m.
Eddie Lack will make his first start in over two weeks, head coach Bill Peters confirmed this morning after his team's skate.
"We've got a lot of hockey coming up," Peters said. "We got him in in the Toronto game and got him some work there. Now we'll get him a game here tonight."
Here's more from the Canes' bench boss.
On generating scoring chances: "Let's get some quality. Let's make sure we're going to the net hard and scoring on seconds and thirds. I don't think you beat these types of goaltenders too often with the initial shot. Shots, tips, shots, deflections in the high slot area are dangerous."
On filling Hainsey's void on the penalty kill: "The guy who hasn't killed much is Faulker. He hasn't killed much this year, so he's going to assume a bigger role there. Tonight, Dahlbeck is in the lineup, and he has killed for us, so he'll get an opportunity there, too. That's going to be something that evolves as we go."
On rediscovering their game and offense at home: "We need to be able to score and take that momentum and build off it. ... Be opportunistic on the power play and continue to stay with it. It's not going to happen unless you dig in."

CANES LINES: WARM-UPS
10:35 a.m.
Here's how the Hurricanes lined up at this morning's skate.
Aho-Rask-Lindholm
McGinn-Staal-Di Giuseppe
Skinner-Teravainen-Stempniak
Nordstrom-McClement-Stalberg
Slavin-Faulk
Hanifin-Pesce
Dahlbeck-Murphy
Lack
Ward
Derek Ryan and Matt Tennyson will be the healthy extras. More from inside the room soon!
SENATORS NEXT UP AS CANES LOOK TO BREAK SKID
6:00 a.m.
A pair of Canadian opponents puts a bow on a five-game homestand for the Carolina Hurricanes, who play host to the Ottawa Senators in a Friday night match-up.
The Hurricanes will be looking to slow a five-game skid in which the team has earned just one of a possible 10 points. Against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, the Hurricanes played what was their best game in over two weeks, but they still came up empty-handed in a 3-1 defeat.
Hindering the Canes as of late has been their inability to generate offense. The team has managed just four goals over their last five games and hasn't tallied a 5-on-5 goal in more than eight periods of play.
"I was asked the other day about morale, and morale is very good. Guys play hard," head coach Bill Peters said after practice on Thursday. "Sometimes when there is a little bit of adversity, we've got to show a little more stick-to-itiveness. That will be our challenge."
The Hurricanes' lineup will look a bit different tonight, as veteran blue-liner Ron Hainsey was dealt to Pittsburgh on Thursday in exchange for a depth forward and a second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Hainsey played in exactly 300 games for the Hurricanes and tallied 15 goals and 43 assists (58 points)in his time with the team since the 2013-14 season.
"He did a great job for us. 22 minutes a night and played a prominent role on a real good penalty killing unit. He gave us real good work this year," Peters said. "He's very, very intelligent and thoughtful, and he thinks before he speaks. He's got a good, sharp wit about him."
In Hainsey's stead, sophomore defenseman Noah Hanifin will move into the team's top four alongside road roommate Brett Pesce.
Additionally, Ryan Murphy will draw back into the lineup and pair with Klas Dahlbeck.
"The roles basically stay the same, but the opportunity chances. Enhanced opportunity for younger guys now, for sure," Peters said. "You've got to play, play well and stay in the lineup. It's still going to be very competitive to be in the lineup."
The Senators have won five of their last seven games and seven of their last nine on the road. At 32-20-6 with 70 points, Ottawa ranks second in the Atlantic Division.
CANESPR NOTES: The Hurricanes have seen recent success against Ottawa, winning six of the last seven meetings and earning at least a point in 21 of the last 27 games between the two teams (16-6-5), dating back to March 2009. … The Canes own a 6-1-2 record in Friday night home games this season.
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