Gameday: Capitals vs. Hurricanes

"Rogue … Rogue One."
This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information related to tonight's Metropolitan Division showdown between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals 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 not hold a morning skate today. Head coach Bill Peters will speak with the media a couple hours before puck drop, when we'll be able to pass along any last-minute updates. Until then, check back here for more gameday-centric content.
Last updated: 4:20 p.m.

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA TOOLS TO VICTORY
4:20 p.m.
Mike Maniscalco presents tonight's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina three Tools to Victory.

CANES PROJECTED LINEUP
6:00 a.m.
The Hurricanes aren't skating this morning, but based on Tuesday's game, here's what you might see tonight. We'll confirm with head coach Bill Peters this evening. Cam Ward will get the start in net.
Nordstrom-Staal-Lindholm
Skinner-Rask-Ryan
Aho-Teravainen-Stempniak
McGinn-McClement-Stalberg
Hainsey-Faulk
Slavin-Pesce
Hanifin-Tennyson
Ward
Leighton
CANES GO FOR EIGHT IN A ROW AT HOME AGAINST CAPS
6:00 a.m.
It was just over a month ago - 34 days to be exact - when the Washington Capitals made their first visit of the season to PNC Arena.
At the time, the Hurricanes were coming off a 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the first game in a crucial five-game homestand. What followed against the Caps was one of the Hurricanes' most complete 60-minute efforts of the season, as they scored five unanswered goals to defeat Washington 5-1.
"I thought we played well. We looked at our lines from that game. Their lineup is a little bit different, not a whole bunch. Our lineup's a little tweaked, the same players in different spots," head coach Bill Peters recalled of the two teams' last meeting on Nov. 12. "It was a fast game. They play a very structured and intelligent game."
That victory kick-started a five-game winning streak for the team and was the first of seven straight wins that the Hurricanes have now recorded at home.
Tonight, the Canes have a chance to stretch that streak to eight games against the same Capitals, who have won five in a row.
"Very familiar with them. A team we play lots in our division," Peters said. "They've got it going. There are lots of teams in the Metro that have it going, and they're one of them. We know what we're up against."
The Hurricanes, now in the midst of a four-game homestand, topped the Vancouver Canucks in a wild 8-6 free-for-all on Tuesday night. It was exhilarating, no doubt.
"It's fun to get on a little roll like that," said Jeff Skinner, who scored twice in a three-point performance. "It's fun to get a win like that. The fans were into it, it was a really good atmosphere and loud. It was nice to get the two points."
For all of its excitement, it also had its fair share of defensive lapses, which contributed to the 14-goal total, the first time the Hurricanes have been involved in such a game since their 8-6 win over Philadelphia in October 2005.
"Just mental mistakes and turnovers," Peters said after digesting video from Tuesday's game. "We didn't manage the puck very well."
After Tuesday's game, Peters suggested that the Hurricanes' lack of legs in the second period, in which the team surrendered four straight goals, could have been due to the fact that they skated too much coming off of a three-game California road trip.
So, following a scheduled off day on Wednesday, the Canes kept Thursday's practice short at Raleigh Center Ice and won't skate prior to tonight's game.
"We've got to manage energy levels," Peters said. "We had a good video session and a good, crisp skate. Now we'll be ready for tomorrow."
CANESPR NOTES: Derek Ryan recorded three assists in Tuesday's 8-6 win and now has points in four straight games (3g, 4a). … In their seven-game home winning streak, the Canes have outscored opponents 24-12 and have gone 17-for-18 (94.4 percent) on their league-best penalty kill.
CLICKS AND CLIPPINGS
Articles
Videos
Gameday Links
- Buy Tickets - Mystery Holiday Pucks - First Goal Contest presented by Kayem - In-Game Twitter