Preview: Avalanche vs. Hurricanes

As the North Carolina State Fair nears the end of its run, the Carolina Hurricanes come back to Raleigh to square off with the Colorado Avalanche in a Saturday matinee.
The Hurricanes have dropped two straight games in regulation after beginning the season with a 4-0-1 record, but they still sit atop the Metropolitan Division with nine points.

Getting Back in the Win Column
The Hurricanes began a three-game road trip with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Minnesota Wild. They then lost 3-1 to the Winnipeg Jets and 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the Canes went toe-to-toe with each of those teams and had chances to get the win or at least a point in either situation.
"Of all the games that we played, that one in Tampa was a little off as far as the energy level. I've got to watch that, and that's why we need four lines to play," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said after a Thursday practice at Raleigh Center Ice. "Every part of our game we want to get better at. We spent times on special teams, obviously, but there are little details to our game that aren't great, so we're trying to touch up on all of them."
PROJECTED LINEUP
Converting at just 8 percent on the season (2-for-25), a power-play goal might go a long way in helping the Canes get back in the win column.
"We want to get the zone time. Our entries were great last game, the best of the year. We got in every time, but then we started rushing things," Brind'Amour said. "That's what kind of happens when you talk about how we've got to score on the power play, we start taking 5-on-5 shots. Those aren't effective. We've got to get back to knowing we have some good talent out there and make it work. Relax a little bit. Go through your set and what we're trying to do as opposed to just rushing shots."
Bishop to Make NHL Debut
The Hurricanes made a roster swap with Charlotte on Wednesday, sending forward Martin Necas and defenseman Haydn Fleury to the Checkers and recalling Clark Bishop. There are
some layers to that roster move
, but the highlight of it will be Bishop's NHL debut.
"We want to see what he's done all training camp and in all his games down in Charlotte. That energy, that competitiveness. That's what he brings," Brind'Amour said. "It'd be nice if he chipped in here or there, but that's not what we're expecting. We're expecting good, hard, honest effort."
Bishop will center the team's fourth line with Brock McGinn and Valentin Zykov flanking him.
"Brock is a good, hard-working guy, and Z can put the puck in the net," Bishop said. "I think a bring a lot to the table with my speed and physicality."
Bishop got news of the recall from Checkers head coach Mike Vellucci.
"It was a crazy moment. I had to soak it all in," he said. "It's an unbelievable feeling for me and my family."
And his family - his mom, dad and sister - will be flying in from Newfoundland to see him make his NHL debut.
"It's something I've been working for my whole life," Bishop said. "They've been with me on the journey the whole way. They were really happy."
After Andrei Svechnikov, Bishop will be the second Hurricane to make his NHL debut this season.
"Like everyone says, it's going to take that first shift to get used to it and get that first one out of the way, but after that I think I'll be fine," he said.
Any advice from the head coach?
"He just said he was happy with my camp, just have fun, play your game and do what comes natural to you, and you'll be fine," Bishop said.
The Opposition
The Avalanche are in the midst of a four-game road trip out east, and they're coming off of a 5-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. Captain Gabriel Landeskog netted a hat trick in that game, the Avs' fourth win in their first seven games of the season.
"They're a young group too that's playing really well. They've got a few key players that we're going to have to take notice of," Brind'Amour said. "Their whole group, it feels like they keep coming one after another, and they play fast."
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Getting Physical
Set the physical tone of this afternoon game early. In his NHL debut, Clark Bishop can provide energy and physicality for the lineup.
2. Rattle the Cage
Make it hard on Philipp Grubauer, who is starting his second straight game in net after earning the win in New Jersey. Get to the crease, establish body position and outwork their defenders.
3. Tally on the Power Play
This one's simple: score a power-play goal. It might take an ugly bounce to get things rolling, but the goals will come.
AT THE RINK
Today's game marks the first time since 2002 in which the Hurricanes have played a home game during the N.C. State Fair. Give yourselves plenty of time to get to PNC Arena, just in case of fair traffic. In fact, get to the rink early. Why? There's $10 parking (a 50 percent discount) in all arena general parking lots from 8:30-11 a.m. Doors to the arena open at 11:30 a.m., and a South Plaza Party kicks things off at 10 a.m.
There's a lot going on in conjunction with the State Fair, including lower-level ticket discounts for those who have been to the fair and fair admission discounts for those who come to the game, so be sure to
plan ahead for it all
.
This afternoon's game is also the
first of six in this year's Hurricanes Homegrown Series
, which showcases the best this local community has to offer in t-shirts, food, beer, art and music.
WORTH A CLICK
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