Preview: Oilers vs. Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes return home from their longest road trip of the season to host the Edmonton Oilers at PNC Arena.
The trip was the Canes' most successful five-game road swing since 1998, as they matched that franchise best with a 4-1-0 record.

Surging on the Road
In capturing eight of a possible 10 points on their road trip, the Hurricanes have inched their way ever closer to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
On the trip, the Canes dressed the same 18 skaters, and all 18 recorded at least a point, as the team outscored its opponents 19-9 and recorded two shutouts.
The road trip was the latest run in what's been a league-best stretch since New Year's Eve. In those 20 games, the Canes are 14-5-1 (29 points) and have scored 76 goals.
"If we play the way we know we're capable of playing, we know we can beat any time any given night," said Micheal Ferland, who recorded three points (1g, 2a) in Ottawa on Tuesday.
The Next Stretch
The Hurricanes have 25 games - 14 at home and 11 on the road - remaining on their regular-season schedule.
PROJECTED LINEUP
"We're trying to scratch and claw and get ourselves in the mix," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said on Tuesday. "We're moving on to try to get the next one."
Friday night's match-up with the Oilers is the beginning of a three-game segment at home and the front half of a back-to-back set against Western Conference opponents.
The Last Meeting
The Hurricanes began their three-game trek through Western Canada with a 7-4 win over the Oilers on Jan. 20. Nino Niederreiter netted two goals in his second game with his new team, and four different players each recorded three points to fuel the Canes' offense.
"We wanted this game. We felt pretty good," said Svechnikov, who scored a goal and posted two assists. "Everybody was working hard and giving it everything."
The Opposition
The Oilers have gone 1-4-2 since that pre-All-Star meeting with the Canes. This game, the second in a quick, three-game swing out east, comes after the Oilers were defeated, 3-1, in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Connor McDavid ranks third in league scoring with 82 points (31g, 51a) in 55 games.
"The talent level is off the charts. We know that. The best player in the world. You get mesmerized watching him. We can't be doing that," Brind'Amour said. "It still always comes down to our team. We have to be ready to play and play our game."
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Don't Stray
When the Hurricanes have buy in from everyone and play to their strengths, they are successful. They played a simple game on the road, and they don't need to change anything to keep this good stretch of hockey going.
2. Dig In
The Canes have 25 games remaining in the regular season. They've been one of the league's best teams since Dec. 31, and they need to continue to play at that same pace from here to the finish line. Dig in and finish strong down the stretch of the season.
3. Fuel Up
The Hurricanes' offense has been a big contributor to their recent success. In the last meeting against Edmonton, the Canes scored seven goals. Replicating that would be fun, but even three or four should give the team a good chance at another victory.
AT THE RINK
It's been too long since we last got together at PNC Arena, and there's a lot happening tonight. Here are some highlights.
Tonight marks the fifth of six games in the 2018-19 Hurricanes Homegrown Series, which showcases the best this local community has to offer in t-shirts, food, beer, art and music. Before heading out to PNC Arena, be sure to
check out this rundown
of everything that encompasses the Homegrown Series.
The Canes are hosting their first Prescription Drug Take Back Night, in which fans are invited to bring unused or expired prescription drugs to the arena in order to properly and safely dispose of them. Need more info?
We've got you covered.
Need a late Valentine's Day gift? The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation can help. Stop by their kiosk to purchase a mystery autographed bear for $50 (all proceeds benefit the Foundation). There are 250 bears available, and each is autographed by a Hurricanes player.
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