Gameday: Blackhawks vs. Hurricanes

Home(grown) for the holidays.
This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information related to tonight's 2016 home finale between the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes in one handy location. Make this a regular stop throughout the day, as we update it with notes, videos, photos and more as puck drop draws near.
The Hurricanes will hold an optional morning skate at 10:30 a.m. at PNC Arena. We'll be stationed rinkside to pass along any news and nuggets then.
Last updated: 7:10 p.m.

CANES LINES: WARM-UPS
7:10 p.m.
While the Hurricanes' forward lines are unchanged for tonight, it appears we'll see a shake-up on defense. Both Ryan Murphy and Klas Dahlbeck look to be in the lineup, while Matt Tennyson comes out.
McGinn-Staal-Lindholm
Skinner-Rask-Ryan
Aho-Teravainen-Stempniak
Nordstrom-McClement-Stalberg
Slavin-Pesce
Hanifin-Hainsey
Dahlbeck-Murphy
Ward
Lack
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA TOOLS TO VICTORY
3:50 p.m.
Mike Maniscalco presents tonight's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina three Tools to Victory.

INSIDE THE ROOM
1:55 p.m.
Hear from head coach Bill Peters and forward (and former Blackhawk) Teuvo Teravainen after today's morning skate.

LINEUP NOTES AND PETERS QUOTES
11:50 a.m.
Ryan Murphy's status for tonight's game is still not certain, but it looks more favorable than it did yesterday. Murphy took part in the Hurricanes' optional morning skate, after which head coach Bill Peters would get an update on how he was feeling.
"I have to go see. I expect him to want to stay in the lineup," Peters said. "Taking yesterday off was the right thing to do. He skated this morning, and I expect that everything went good. I expect him to play."
If that's the case, the lineup should remain consistent from two nights ago in Pittsburgh. Cam Ward will start in net.
Here's more from the head coach.
On the play of his team and what winning does for the group: "The accountability goes up amongst the group. They know what's expected. You don't even have to point it out half the time. … They're helping the process along in that regard. They're playing towards the identity that we want, and we've done a good job of that for two months now being consistent, but there's another level to it, and we'll work to get to that level."
On Teuvo Teravainen facing his former team: "I think it will be exciting for him. … It's fun when you play against people you know. You want to have bragging rights."
On tonight's game: "We can play with anybody. We don't worry about who we're playing or where we're playing. … We're comfortable with where we're at, and we're looking forward to a good game tonight."
On tonight's opponent: "They're well-coached and have good players. They've won and know how to win. They play the game the right way and play hard."
On the status of Justin Faulk, who skated on his own this morning: "He's done a great job of rehabbing here. He's going to skate on his own tomorrow again when we're gone. … I know he's working hard to get back."

CANES CLOSE OUT 2016 HOME SLATE AGAINST BLACKHAWKS
6:00 a.m.
The Carolina Hurricanes will close out the 2016 calendar year with a back-to-back set that begins at home tonight with a visit from the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Hurricanes have earned points in 10 straight home games (9-0-1), a streak dating back to Nov. 12.
"I like the way we're playing. We've had some good stretches throughout the year, but we're consistently good right now," head coach Bill Peters said after practice on Thursday. "We're consistently playing to an identity that allows us to have success."
Coming off a three-day holiday break, the Hurricanes took a three-game winning streak to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Carolina led the Pens 2-1 heading into the third period, but the defending Stanley Cup champions scored in the first five minutes and the last five minutes of the third to skate away with the 3-2 victory.
"Last night we broke down a couple times in situations we'd like to handle differently," Peters said.
Despite the result, the effort was nothing to deride. The Canes recorded 90 shot attempts, including 46 shots on net, but couldn't stretch their lead to two goals or find the equalizer late in regulation.
"I thought we did a lot of good things," Peters said. "When you generate that type of offense, you're doing good things. We've just got to stay with it. I think what happens coming out of time off is your timing is not quite the same. I think your timing, execution and finish gets better as you get the rhythm of being back on the ice and playing."
Chicago opened a three-game road trip with a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. With 51 points (23-10-5), the Hawks sit atop the Western Conference.
Ryan Murphy, who drew back into the lineup on Wednesday for the first time since Nov. 10, missed practice on Thursday, and his status is unknown for Friday.
"He took some stitches in a tough part to hea up. We gave him today, and hopefully it doesn't open up," Peters said. "He should be good to go."
Cam Ward is expected to make his 29th start of the season in net. Ward 3-1-2 with a 1.72 goals-against average in six career appearances against the Blackhawks.
Following tonight's game against Chicago, the Hurricanes will travel to Tampa Bay to ring in the New Year against the Lightning. The Canes are 5-1-0 in the latter halves of back-to-back sets this season.
"We've got to stay with it. There's a lot of hockey left," Peters said. "What's going to happen in the next 48 games? … You want to be playing teams you're chasing, and you want to have it in your own hands. We have that to a certain degree."
CANESPR NOTES: The Hurricanes have earned at least a point in 12 of their last 14 home games against Chicago. … Elias Lindholm recorded a goal in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and has points in two consecutive games (1g, 2a). The Canes are 8-2-0 this year when Lindholm posts a point.
CLICKS AND CLIPPINGS
Articles
Videos
Gameday Links
- Buy Tickets - 50/50 Raffle - First Goal Contest presented by Kayem - In-Game Twitter