When: Friday, March 18, 7 p.m. EST
Watch:Bally Sports South, Bally Sports App, NHL Network
Listen:99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes.com/Listen, Hurricanes App
Canes Record:41-14-5 (87 Points, 1st - Metropolitan Division)
Canes Last Game:3-2 Loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, March 17.
Capitals Record:34-18-10 (78 Points, 4th - Metropolitan Division)
Capitals Last Game:7-2 Victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, March 17.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
THE QUICK HITS:
Last Time Out:The Canes were the better team for the opening 15 minutes of last night's affair in Toronto, but the Leafs flipped the game upside-down after getting the game's first goal. Despite efforts to crawl back into the game, it was Carolina's mistakes and inability to capitalize on the power play that were the differences. Rookie netminder Erik Källgren stopped 35/37 in his second career start, giving his team the 3-2 win.
Injury Report:Brendan Smith returned to the lineup last night, playing in his first game since suffering a fracture in his skull on February 20. Tony DeAngelo was a game-time decision but ultimately did not play. He could make his return from injury either tonight or Sunday against the Rangers. On the unfortunate side of things, Jordan Martinook left last night's game in the third period and did not return. #48 fell awkwardly in the corner and Rod Brind'Amour did not have an update on him post-game. The Canes will not hold a morning skate Friday, so any updates from the head coach will come at 4:45 p.m.
Find The Net Early:The Canes have now gone seven consecutive games without scoring a first period goal. The last time they earned one was March 1 in a 4-3 overtime defeat against Detroit. During that span of games they are 4-3 with their two most recent games being losses. Scoring early has normally been a good omen for the group, as they are 30-3-4 when striking first.
Home Ice Advantage:Carolina enters tonight with points in 13 consecutive home games (12-0-1). Their 23 wins at home this season rank third in the NHL. Overall the team has points in 25 of 29 games played at PNC Arena this season.
In The Crease:Frederik Andersen started last night for Carolina against his former club, so one would think that signs point to Antti Raanta for this evening. Raanta is 3-1 this month and 5-2-1 since the All-Star break. His last outing was Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing two goals on 20 shots.
Good Through The End:The Canes have a +34 goal differential in third periods thus far this season. With that being the best in the NHL, Carolina has outscored their opponents 76-42 in the last 20 minutes of games.
A Look At The Other Side:Washington pummeled Columbus last night, scoring at least twice in each period. Now 6-0-1 in their last seven games played, four players, including Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom recorded multiple points. As of late their offense has been hot, scoring at least three goals in all seven games played thus far this month. This evening will be the third game in four days for the Caps, having previously beaten the Islanders on Tuesday.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
More Milestones: Jaccob Slavin is three points shy of 200 for his NHL career. Jordan Staal is three points shy of 600.
What Are We Wearing?:The team will be wearing their black sweaters tonight.
Worth A Click:
Stepan's Ride To Raleigh & Fit With The Canes
Hurricanes March Schedule
NHL Standings
