Correcting Mistakes
Simple, little mistakes are ending up in the back of the Hurricanes' net right now, a tough-luck lesson they learned on Saturday night against Detroit. Leading 3-1 in the third period, the Canes surrendered two straight goals to Anthony Mantha and the Wings, which eventually forced extra hockey. Frans Nielsen netted the lone goal in the shootout to send Detroit home with the extra point.
"The first period was a little shaky, but late in the first period and all through the second it was really good. Parts of the third were fine, too, we just had some areas where we just weren't sharp," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said after a Sunday practice at PNC Arena. "It seems like, for whatever reason, when we're not sharp on those it ends up in our net. We've got to learn to play a full 60 minutes."
Saturday marked the third consecutive game in which the Red Wings erased a multi-goal deficit to win.
"Mistakes are going to happen. We just have to limit them," Brind'Amour said. "We've got to have better puck management when we're up, but at the end of the day, there's one way to play. You've got to do it right."
Ward Returns
Cam Ward will make his return to Raleigh and PNC Arena, this time as a member of the opposition for the first time in his career.
PROJECTED LINEUP
"I'm excited to come back. It's going to be emotional," he said. "A lot has happened in the 13 years I was there that I'm forever grateful for. It will be fun to be home for a little bit."
"To see him grow and his family grow is special. He'll always be a part of this organization," Brind'Amour said. "He put his stamp on this place. He's a very, very special player and person. He's a big part of this community. He still wants to live here and be a part of it. Everything you say nice about Cam is warranted."
Ward signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks on July 1 after spending 13 seasons with the Hurricanes, who selected the netminder 25th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He's posted a 3-2-3 record with Chicago in eight games this season, and, in all likelihood, will get the start in net.
"Once the puck drops, it's game on," Ward said. "I'm a competitive guy. I'm not going to lie. I want to win. We'll be coming there to try to get two points."
"I hope he doesn't play well tomorrow," Brind'Amour said, "but I wish him the best the rest of the way."
The Last Meeting
It will be fairly straightforward to pre-scout this match-up, considering the Canes and Blackhawks met just five days ago in Chicago. In that game, Jeremey Colliton's first game as bench boss for the Hawks, the Canes took a 4-0 lead and held off Chicago's comeback to win 4-3.
"It's nice when you have a quick turnaround on a team. That was their first game with the new guy, and now they've have another one, so I think they've made a few little adjustments," Brind'Amour said. "Again, it's not really about the other group. We've got to get to our game."
The Opposition
The Blackhawks' winless streak is now at seven games (0-6-1) after they were shut out, 4-0, by Philadelphia on Saturday. Patrick Kane paces his team in points with 21 (12g, 9a) through 16 games.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS KEYS TO THE GAME
