Gameday: Hurricanes at Devils

SHORT HILLS, N.J. - Here's to the moms!
This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information you need to know for tonight's Metropolitan Division showdown between the New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes. Make Hurricanes.com a regular stop throughout the day, as we update this hub with notes, photos and more as puck drop draws near.
The Hurricanes will not hold a morning skate today. We'll get the latest from head coach Bill Peters in the early evening.
Last updated: 6:35 p.m.

CANES LINES: WARM-UPS
6:35 p.m.
Scott Darling gets the start in net, and here's how the Canes will line up in front of him.
Aho-Staal-Teravainen
McGinn-Rask-Williams
Skinner-Lindholm-Di Giuseppe
Nordstrom-Ryan-Stempniak
Slavin-Pesce
Fleury-Faulk
Hanifin-van Riemsdyk
Darling
Ward
The puck drops in New Jersey in 30 minutes!
IN THE ROOM: BILL PETERS
5:30 p.m.
Head coach Bill Peters met with the media in New Jersey this evening. He didn't talk lineup specifics, but here are some quotable highlights.
On the team's success as of late: "We've been good defensively. I think we've been very committed away from the puck getting contributions from everybody, which obviously helps, and we've scored more. A lot of it has been our D-zone transitions being cleaner. … A lot of good things happening and playing with a lot of energy."
On the mindset leading to the current winning streak: "The guys realized it's time. We talked about it in Montreal prior to the All-Star break. That was when we needed to become desperate. We weren't quite at the level we are now with our desperation and caliber of play. I didn't want to waste any more time or opportunities to gain points."
On the remaining schedule: "It's a good situation for us. A little bit of a unique schedule. … There are four left here. Three left with Philly. Those are huge games against teams we're trying to chase down. We've got to take advantage of it and get the job done in regulation."
On the belief in the locker room: "We believe in ourselves and we're just going to play. We just play. We've got a group here that's very competitive now. … It's a competitive environment, and that's the best way to be successful."
On the Moms Trip: "It's been good. I know they're excited. Big day for them in New York City. Went to the Phantom of the Opera. Get to see a good hockey game tonight and then travel home. A real nice dinner set up by Ricky O. last night. It's been great to have them here."
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA TOOLS TO VICTORY
3:05 p.m.
TV's Mike Maniscalco, who I'll be joining during Hurricanes Live! tonight on FOX Sports Southeast, details tonight's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina three Tools to Victory.
1. Keep the Blue Line Involved
In Tuesday's win over the Kings, the Hurricanes had Justin Faulk scoring a natural hat trick and Jaccob Slavin open the scoring with a fantastic play and finish. Having the blue line involved on offense makes this team tough to stop.
2. Special Teams Dominance
The Carolina power play and penalty kill has helped set a tone during this three-game winning streak. Being better with the man advantage will do the same tonight.
3. Make Mom & Sis Proud
The Hurricanes brought their moms and sisters on this trip, so playing the right way within the system will give these very special guests something to cheer about.
CANES AND DEVILS BEGIN SEASON SERIES
12:00 a.m.
With just 25 games remaining in the 2017-18 regular season, two Metropolitan Division opponents are just now about to begin their season series.
The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils will meet for the first of four times this season on Thursday in what is also the front half of a back-to-back set for the Canes that will wrap up in Raleigh on Friday against the New York Islanders.
Tonight's tilt, which will be quickly followed up with a rematch in Raleigh on Sunday evening, couldn't be more critical to the standings. The Devils own the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with 64 point, and the Hurricanes trail by just a point.
"We finally get our first look at New Jersey here," head coach Bill Peters said after practice in Raleigh on Wednesday. "These next three games will be a stiff test, and we're looking forward to the opportunity."
The Hurricanes come into tonight's game riding a four-game point streak (3-0-1) and a three-game winning streak that put a bow on the team's season-long, eight-game homestand. The team finished with a 5-2-1 record and 11 of a possible 16 points during the extended stretch at home.
Coming off a 7-3 rout of the Los Angeles Kings, the Hurricanes have their moms in tow for tonight's divisional match-up. It's the first-ever Moms Trip for the team, a quick road trip that began on Valentine's Day, no less.
"They're going to play hard, right?" Peters said. "This is the person who brought you into the world, so you're going to play hard in front of them."
After winning their first two games of the month, the Devils went on a four-game skid (0-4-0) before rebounding with a 5-4 shootout win on the road in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Devils own a 4-6-0 record in their last 10 games and are 15-10-3 at home this season.
The Hurricanes recalled Patrick Brown from Charlotte late Tuesday night. Brown is expected to be an extra healthy forward for the club. A starting goaltender had yet to be decided, according to Peters on Wednesday.
CANESPR NOTES: The Hurricanes are 2-0-1 in their last three games against the Devils in New Jersey. … Sebastian Aho paced the team with three points (3g) in four games against the Devils last season. … The Hurricanes are 6-4-4 against the Metropolitan Division this season.
CLICKS AND CLIPPINGS
Articles
Videos
Gameday Links
- FOX Sports Southeast Channel Information - First Goal Contest presented by Kayem