Gameday: Senators vs. Hurricanes

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This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information you need to know for tonight's homestand opener featuring the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes. Make Hurricanes.com a regular stop throughout the day, as we update this hub 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, where we'll be rinkside to bring you the latest.
Last updated: 4:05 p.m.

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA TOOLS TO VICTORY
4:05 p.m.
TV's Mike Maniscalco details tonight's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina three Tools to Victory.

IN THE ROOM: BILL PETERS
2:15 p.m.
Head coach Bill Peters spoke with the media following the morning skate, as usual. Here are some highlights, and the full availability can be found below.
On the start of the unofficial second half of the season: "It's going to be fun. It's going to be exciting. We've got 33 [games] left. Our playoffs started the other day in Montreal. Our guys are aware of that and how we have to play. We're looking forward to it, to be honest with you. We have a real good schedule that sets up well."
On the eight-game homestand: "Eight in a row is a big number. We understand where we're at. … It's about maturity, preparation and using our schedule to our advantage. Rest is a weapon, and if we're playing hard we'll be able to take some additional days off to stay fresh."
On the status of Sebastian Aho: "He's good to go. He's going to play. He did a real good job with the medical staff over the All-Star break. Really diligent with his rehab. We were optimistic we'd get him, and we are going to get him."
On what Aho brings to the lineup: "He was playing real well when he went out. He had 14 points in his previous 10 games. We're a team that doesn't score easily. He provides some offense for us and is good on the power play. It's a good addition, for sure."
On tonight's opponent: "A good team that's good through the neutral zone. … If you're going to get some offense, you have to make sure you're getting it in O-zone play and on the power play. Our specialty teams has to be good, and we have to spend time in the O-zone and be dynamic."

AHO SET TO RETURN TO LINEUP
11:55 a.m.
As the Carolina Hurricanes begin perhaps their most important stretch of hockey of the season, they're also welcoming back into the lineup perhaps their most important player.
Sebastian Aho, who sustained a concussion and a lower-body injury on Jan. 14 against Calgary, will make his return to the lineup tonight versus Ottawa. Aho has missed the team's last four games but has now been medically cleared to return to action.
"I'm good to go," he said after the morning skate. "I'm feeling great."

If further confirmation of his status was needed, head coach Bill Peters provided it.
"He's going to play," he said. "He did a real good job with the medical staff over the All-Star break. Really diligent with his rehab. We were optimistic we'd get him, and we are going to get him."
Aho will play on a line with Jordan Staal and Elias LIndholm.
"He was playing real well when he went out. He had 14 points in his previous 10 games," Peters said. "We're a team that doesn't score easily. He provides some offense for us and is good on the power play. It's a good addition, for sure."

CANES LINES: MORNING SKATE
10:30 a.m.
Sebastian Aho (concussion, lower body) is taking line rushes this morning. He might be good to re-enter the lineup, something we'll have to confirm with head coach Bill Peters.
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If Aho is able to return, Phil Di Giuseppe and Josh Jooris would both be healthy extras up front. We'll go inside the room soon.

CANES BEGIN SEASON-LONG HOMESTAND
12:00 a.m.
If there's a make-or-break segment in the Carolina Hurricanes' 2017-18 regular season schedule, this is it.
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Hurricanes will play 11 of their next 12 games at home beginning with a season-long, eight-game homestand that opens on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators.
"It's huge. This is what it's all about coming down the stretch," head coach Bill Peters said after practice on Monday. "We've got a real good schedule. Our playoffs started the other day in Montreal. We said that in the pregame meeting to our team, and that's the reality of the situation. We've got to get some points banked here at home."
The Hurricanes are hoping to ride the momentum from a wild 6-5 win in Montreal prior to All-Star Weekend that featured a seven-goal second period.
"There were some real good things in Montreal. We started and played a real good first period. I think we got a little bit loose as the game went along. We gave up some two-goal leads, which is problematic. We don't want to play that way," Peters said. "I think it's more on how we play and the consistency of our team game. If we get that in order, we'll get the results we want in the month of February."
The Hurricanes might be getting a boost to their lineup sooner than anticipated. Sophomore forward Sebastian Aho sustained a concussion and a lower-body injury on Jan. 14, returned to the ice 10 days later and was a full participant in practice on Monday.
Aho said after practice on Monday that he felt good, and the last remaining hurdle to returning to the lineup is to be medically cleared.
"I think he's day-to-day," Peters said. "That's positive, but he still has to get cleared. If he gets medical clearance, we'll play him."
The Senators come into tonight's game without a win in five straight games. Ottawa is 3-6-1 in the month of January.
CANESPR NOTES: The Hurricanes have earned a point in 22 of their last 28 games against the Senators (17-6-5). … Trevor van Riemsdyk and Noah Hanifin were each plus-5 in Montreal on Jan. 25. Van Riemsdyk leads the team in plus/minus with a plus-10 rating.
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