Gameday: Hurricanes at Penguins

PITTSBURGH - Winter is here.
This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information you need to know for tonight's Metropolitan Division match-up between the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins. 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 be on the ice at PPG Paints Arena for an 11:30 a.m. morning skate, and we'll be rinkside, as always, to bring you the latest.
Last updated: 6:35 p.m.

CANES LINES: WARM-UPS
6:35 p.m.
Jordan Staal is in the Canes' lineup tonight, and Cam Ward will get the start in net.
Aho-Staal-Teravainen
McGinn-Rask-Williams
Skinner-Ryan-Lindholm
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Ward
Darling
Puck drop in Pittsburgh is in 30 minutes!
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA TOOLS TO VICTORY
4:20 p.m.
TV's Mike Maniscalco details tonight's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina three Tools to Victory.
1. Steel Curtain
The Hurricanes defenders did an excellent job containing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on Dec. 29 at PNC Arena. They'll need that effort again tonight in Pittsburgh.
2. Agents of Chaos
Create turnovers and wreak havoc in the Penguins' end. A great example of that on Tuesday night against Washington was when Sebastian Aho created a turnover on the forecheck that directly led to a Hurricanes' goal.
3. Weather the Storm
The Penguins are going to come out flying in the first 10 minutes. If the Canes can withstand that initial push or even grab a lead on the road, it will pay off later.
IN THE ROOM: BROCK McGINN
2:35 p.m.
Hear from Canes forward Brock McGinn, who spoke to TV's Mike Maniscalco after the team's optional morning skate in Pittsburgh.

LINEUP NOTES AND PETERS QUOTES
12:50 p.m.
Cam Ward will get the start in net tonight for the Hurricanes, according to head coach Bill Peters. Ward made 27 saves on 28 shots in his team's 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh last week. Jordan Staal, who missed practice on Wednesday but skated this morning, is likely to play. If that is the case, Aleksi Saarela's NHL debut will not happen tonight.
Here are more nuggets from the Canes' bench boss.
On building off the first meeting between these two teams: "We've got to start playing better. We've got to start playing the way we did prior to Christmas. We were at a higher level then than we were coming off the break. We haven't gotten back to that level on a consistent basis with all four lines, and we expect to be able to do that here prior to the bye [week]."
On the team's identity: "When we play properly and play to our identity, we're very quick. We're quick in transition. We're able to shoot and stay on it on the offensive zone. ... We like to try to play fast through the neutral zone. When our game is in order, you see quick transitions and puck movement."
On Ward starting in net: "He's 10-2-2, and he's the hot hand. We know the value of points at this time of the year. We play our midway point game our next game in Boston. We're going to approach this as desperation time. We've got to gather points and keep up in the Metro."

CANES GO OPTIONAL
11:35 a.m.
The Hurricanes held an optional morning skate at PPG Paints Arena today, though a good chunk of the team participated. Among those skating included Jordan Staal (who missed Wednesday's practice), Aleksi Saarela (recalled on Wednesday afternoon), Marcus Kruger (lower body) and Lee Stempniak (upper body). Scott Darling and Jorge Alves tended the nets.
We'll speak with head coach Bill Peters shortly.

CANES WANT TO KEEP BUILDING AS THEY HEAD TO PITTSBURGH
12:00 a.m.
Two nights after moving into the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes will look to sustain their momentum when they make their first of two stops this month in Pittsburgh.
Thursday's match-up with the Penguins, the second meeting between the two teams in a span of six days, is the first of four straight on the road for the Canes, who then travel to Boston, Tampa Bay and Washington before returning home for a pair of games prior to the bye week.
"We're in a real pivotal part of the season playing good teams. We're excited about it," head coach Bill Peters said after his team practiced in Raleigh on Wednesday. "We're playing well. I like our team right now. Good energy and confidence in the room."
On Tuesday night in their first game of the season against the Washington Capitals, the Hurricanes scored three straight goals to erase a two-goal deficit and take a lead in the third period. But Alex Ovechkin and the Caps stormed back to tie the game before taking the extra point in a 5-4 overtime win.
"A lot of good things in Tuesday's - Postponed: Cool Bars - First Goal Contest presented by Kayem