CANES OPEN HOMESTAND AGAINST DUCKS
6:00 a.m.
After a month spent largely away from the comforts of home, the Carolina Hurricanes are set to begin a five-game slate at PNC Arena and look to initiate a bit of home cooking.
At 3-5-4 with 10 points in the standings, the Hurricanes are well aware of the magnitude of this homestand, which begins tonight against the Anaheim Ducks.
"It's time to dig in. We've got a great opportunity in front of us," head coach Bill Peters said after a brief practice on Wednesday. "We're at home, we're playing good teams. It's a good challenge. We've got to play well in order to get the wins and two points that we need and want."
Three of the Hurricanes' first four games in the month of November have gone to overtime or a shootout, including Tuesday night's game in New Jersey. Despite Cam Ward making 39 saves through 65 minutes, the Canes dropped a 3-2 shootout decision, their second loss to the Devils in as many games.
"It's coming together. Really good. I feel confident," Peters said. "Wardo has been real good. The penalty kill has been good. There are a lot of things to build on."
Ward has posted a 1-0-2 record in his last three starts and has stopped 94 of 100 shots (.940 save percentage) in that stretch. Expect to see him get the start against Anaheim, a team against which he's posted a 2-2-1 record with a 2.82 goals-against average in six career appearances.
The Ducks were in action just last night, the result of which was a 3-2 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. At 6-5-3 (15 points), Anaheim ranks second in the Pacific Division. The Hurricanes and Ducks split last year's two-game season series, with the road team winning either game.
Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickell, who hasn't played since Sunday, Oct. 30 against the Philadelphia Flyers, did not practice with the team on Wednesday. Peters said the veteran forward was "getting looked at" and did not have definitive word on his status.
On the back-end, the Hurricanes will be without the services of All-Star Justin Faulk for at least this week. In his absence, both Jakub Nakladal and Klas Dahlbeck drew into the lineup in New Jersey, and Dahlbeck netted his first goal as a Hurricane.
CANESPR NOTES: The Hurricanes' penalty kill ranks fifth-best in the NHL at 88.9 percent. … Jordan Staal has points in two straight games (1g, 1a) and is four points shy of 400 in his career.
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