The Carolina Hurricanes are in a fragile state right now. The team can't hold a third-period lead to save their lives, blowing five of their last eight games after leading by multiple goals. They led Colorado, 3-1, after two periods on Saturday before conceding four goals in the third and losing, 5-3. Sebastian Aho had another multi-point game, while Nikolaj Ehlers and Andrei Svechnikov scored again.
There comes a point when you have to stop talking about being frustrated with losing games this way before going out of your way to do something about it. The Canes have talked non-stop about how fragile and upset they are with how things are going. Sunday is a chance to leave it in the past and take it to a division opponent.
On the Other Side: New Jersey Devils
Last meeting: Meeting in Raleigh on Opening Night in October, the Hurricanes used a big third period to pull away from the Devils. Seth Jarvis and K'Andre Miller each scored twice to get the season started, using a four-goal third period to beat New Jersey, 6-3. Taylor Hall and Eric Robinson scored the other two goals for the group, and Frederik Andersen stopped 19 shots.
After losing in Raleigh to begin the season, the Devils rattled off eight straight wins to begin a 13-3-1 stretch that carried them into mid-November. All of a sudden, they returned to Earth in a hard way. Coincidentally, it came when Jack Hughes exited the lineup with an injury. The Devils went 8-10-0 without him, finally getting him back right before Christmas.
It has been a very trying season for New Jersey. Their offense, despite its firepower, hasn't put it together consistently. Part of that likely stems from Hughes' extended absence. They've scored the fifth-fewest goals in the league (110) and averaged less than two goals per game in December, scoring 29 times in 15 games (5-9-1).
Still, the Devils are a team that can get hot and stay hot. They've won their last two games after enduring a four-game losing streak. They were also in action on Saturday, beating the Utah Mammoth on home ice, 4-1. Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves in the win, likely setting up a battle between Brandon Bussi and Jake Allen on Sunday night.
Devils to Watch
Timo Meier: Goal scorers always find ways to make an impact. Meier has points in back-to-back games, including a goal against Utah yesterday. He has finished with at least seven shots in three of his last six games. Even without finding the scoresheet on Opening Night, Meier threw five shots on net. I feel like he'll be all over the ice tonight.
Luke Hughes: It has been an up-and-down season for the youngest Hughes brother. His offensive production is a step back from where it was during his first two seasons after signing a lucrative deal before the year began. Hughes has shown signs of life in New Jersey's last two wins, scoring a goal and an assist on New Year's Eve before finishing +2 in over 20 minutes on Saturday.
Hurricanes to Watch
Jordan Staal: In these trying times, it's time for the captain to show us what he's made of. Staal has just one goal in his last 12 games, and he hasn't found the scoresheet in his last five. While there's no doubt that he shoulders all of what is currently going on with the team, it's time that he leads by example on the ice, which means making teams pay on the scoreboard.
Shayne Gostisbehere: It was a relatively tame night for Gostisbehere on Saturday after returning to the lineup. He'd missed the last few games with an injury, but he failed to make much of an impact offensively. Gostisbehere had just one shot on goal, though he blocked three. Against a struggling penalty kill, it would be nice to see him get a few points tonight.