Gameday: Canucks vs. Hurricanes

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This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information related to tonight's cross-conference match-up between the Vancouver Canucks 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.
We'll be rinkside at PNC Arena to provide you with the latest in roster news, quotes and much more from the Hurricanes morning skate at 10:30 a.m.
Last updated: 5:10 p.m.

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA TOOLS TO VICTORY
5:10 p.m.
Mike Maniscalco presents tonight's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina three Tools to Victory.

INSIDE THE ROOM
2:25 p.m.
Hear from Viktor Stalberg and Brett Pesce, as they look ahead to tonight's game and the start of a four-game homestand.

PREGAME: PETERS
12:05 p.m.
Head coach Bill Peters confirmed that forwards Jordan Staal (concussion) and Elias Lindholm (lower body) will make their return to the lineup tonight. Here's more from the Canes' bench boss.
On the difference now vs. the first meeting between these two teams: "That was a long time ago for us. That was game two of the year. Our team game is in better shape, we're better defensively and I think everyone at this stage of the year in the National Hockey League improves as you go along, and they're no different."
On the upcoming home-heavy schedule: "We knew our schedule going into it, and I think we've done a reasonable job. Now we've got to take advantage of being at home."
On the penalty kill building momentum in a game: "No question it does. … It's something that can definitely turn the momentum of a game."
On concussion spotters and a league-wide protocol: "I love it. I think it's good. I think it's the right thing to do. It takes it out of our hands, for sure. They just let us know. … I think it's best for everybody."
On Eddie Lack's recovery from a concussion: "I think he's trending in the right direction. I know he had a test again yesterday and felt better. He was in here today. If you've been around these things enough, you don't know how anyone is going to react or how long it's going to be."

CANES LINES: MORNING SKATE
10:40 a.m.
If line rushes during this morning's skate are any indication, both Jordan Staal and Elias Lindholm will return to the Hurricanes lineup tonight, and they will be skating on a line together.
Disregarding the order of these forward lines, because it might be inaccurate, here are the groupings for tonight.
Nordstrom-Staal-Lindholm
Skinner-Rask-Ryan
Aho-Teravainen-Stempniak
McGinn-McClement-Stalberg
Hainsey-Faulk
Slavin-Pesce
Hanifin-Tennyson
Ward
Leighton
Andrej Nestrasil is likely your healthy extra forward. Ryan Murphy will again sit out on defense.

CANES RETURN HOME TO HOST CANUCKS
6:00 a.m.
After a segment of the schedule that sent the Carolina Hurricanes on the road for nine of 11 games away from home, the team has returned for Raleigh and will play six of its last nine games in 2016 within the friendly confines of PNC Arena.
In a stretch dating back to Nov. 12, the Hurricanes have won six straight games at home and will be looking to extend that streak, the longest such since 2010, when they face the Vancouver Canucks to open up a four-game homestand.
A three-game California road swing resulted in a 1-1-1 record and three out of a possible six points for the Hurricanes last week. Searching for offense, the Hurricanes found just that our west, as they potted 11 goals in three games.
"When we left to go on the trip, we thought we weren't scoring goals. Then we go out there and score 11, and now we've got to tighten up defensively," head coach Bill Peters said after practice at Raleigh Center Ice on Monday. "I think we can score and at the same time tighten up and do a better job away from the puck."
A boon to the Hurricanes' team defense would be the return of Jordan Staal, whose two-way presence down the middle is tough to match.
Staal practiced with the Hurricanes on Monday, his first on-ice activity with the team since he suffered a concussion on Nov. 27.
"If he's cleared, he's going to play," Peters said. "I think the biggest thing is to see how he reacts to today. I thought he was very good today. We'll just see how he reacts and feels tomorrow morning."
"It was good to get out there with the guys, get a sweat on and a good skate in," Staal said. "I feel good. We'll see how it goes. It's always good to get out on the ice, and that's always a positive thing."
Also possible to return to the lineup is Elias Lindholm, who has missed the team's last five games with a lower-body injury.
"Close. I think he's real close," Peters said. "If they're both cleared - First Goal Contest presented by Kayem - In-Game Twitter