Here’s your Carolina Hurricanes Forecast pregame update with projected lines for the game, any player moves and post-morning skate quotes from Coach Peters.
(All quotes and lineup information is courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes.)
The Canes are back in Raleigh after a 3-2 win in Columbus Thursday night. The team hosts the New York Islanders for the first time this season after winning the first two meetings in Brooklyn 3-2 on October 29th and 6-3 on February 13th. The two teams will have their final meeting on Tuesday here in Raleigh.
The game tonight also marks the 16th and final back-to-back games for the Canes, with a Sunday afternoon tilt against the New Jersey Devils. They’ve fared pretty well this season in back-to-back games, sporting a 18-9-3 record, which is probably a testament to Coach Peters system of ‘never rest, always moving’ hockey.
Speaking of Coach Peters, he had some pointed and ‘truthful’ words for some of his defensemen after Eddie Lack had to make some stunning saves to secure the win in Columbus:
"“He gave us a chance, didn’t he? He was real good,” Peters said. “We need to get a little harder around our net. Too many guys were stirring a little bit of soup.”"
Let’s hope all of the Hurricanes leave their aprons and wooden spoons at home today.
Related Story: Hurricanes' young lads could use a big brother on the bench
Player & Pregame notes:
On Friday the Hurricanes called up of forward Patrick Brown from the Charlotte Checkers. He is the only player on the Checkers’ roster who has played in all 66 games this season, and he ranks fourth on the team with 13 goals.
He’s a player with good size at 6’1″ and 210 pounds and played college hockey at Boston College before Canes rookie defenseman Noah Hanifin ever got there. He played seven games with the Hurricanes last season but really didn’t make an impression with zero goals and assists, 4 shots, 4 penalty minutes and a minus-4 rating. Coach Peters is hoping he does a bit better this time around.
Peters Predicted lines from Pregame skate:
Forwards
“Anytime you’re playing someone back-to-back, you know they’re going to be game-ready. You know they’re going to come out and be prepared. We have to make sure we’re at a high level early.” head coach Bill Peters said of the Islanders coming off of a game last night.
Nordstrom-Staal-Lindholm
Skinner-Rask-Nash
Terry-McClement-Brown
Gerbe-Malone-Sutter
Defense
Slavin-Faulk
Hanifin-Pesce
Hainsey-Murphy
Goalies
Lack – starting
Ward
Phil DiGiuseppe did not take the ice for the morning skate today, and afterwards Coach Peters said that he was still feeling the effects from a big hit during the Columbus game and would be taking the game off.
Newly arrived Charlotte Checker Patrick Brown will slip into the third line with Chris Terry and Jay McClement.
The team and the Caniacs are overjoyed to see their All-Star Alternate Captain Justin Faulk back in action. Everyone can’t wait to see how he and Jaccob Slavin, who’s made a name for himself this year, continue to gel and work together. This could be a powerful and dangerous defensive pairing for the Canes next season.
Peters Pregame Perspective:
Following the usual morning skate Coach Peters answered some media questions.
Regarding Faulk getting back into the swing of things after a lengthy injury break, Coach Peters said, “He’ll start feeling better each and every game he plays. His timing will improve, his game-shape and conditioning will improve. Then he goes into the summer knowing he’s back, and that’s an important thing. You never want to miss the final part of the season and then have doubts lingering.”
"On what he expects from Patrick Brown his return to the big league Peters said, “Brownie played a little bit for us last year, and he’s played real well down there [in Charlotte]. He deserves this call-up, and it’s an opportunity for him to leave a real good impression going into next year.”"
And finally, on how Brody Sutter has been playing since being called up earlier this month. “He’s been big and on the body. He’s made good decisions with the puck. He’s had chances every game and gets pucks to the net. He’s played well.”
Next: What should the Hurricanes do for a goalie next season?
Hurricane Forecast:
Just eight games remain in the 2015-2016 campaign, five of which will be played at the PNC Arena, three of which will be completed by Tuesday with today’s game against the Islanders and a late-matinee game against the Devils tomorrow. After getting Easter Monday off they will face the Isles again on Tuesday.