Thank you, veterans!
This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest news and information related to tonight's Metropolitan Division showdown featuring the Washington Capitals 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 be on the ice at PNC Arena for a 10:30 a.m. morning skate. Unlike most, this skate isn't open to the general public, but we'll still be rinkside to provide updates.
Last updated: 4:50 p.m.
Gameday: Capitals vs. Hurricanes
By
Michael Smith @MSmithCanes / CarolinaHurricanes.com
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA TOOLS TO VICTORY
4:50 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 Canes forwards Jordan Staal, Derek Ryan and Brock McGinn in advance of tonight's tilt vs. Washington.
THE DR. AND McGINN ARE IN
12:50 p.m.
Looking to infuse their lineup with skill and scoring, the Hurricanes recalled two of the Checkers' most prolific producers in the early going: Derek Ryan and Brock McGinn. They've skated on a line together with winger Valentin Zykov in Charlotte, and they'll continue to play together on a line in Carolina with winger Elias Lindholm.
Ryan on joining the Canes: "I'm just going to try to play my game. There's a reason I was called up this year and last year, and I'm going to try to continue to do what I do: contribute offensively, be responsible defensively and hopefully just provide some positive energy in this dressing room. We're doing really well in Charlotte, so the dressing room is really positive and upbeat. Hopefully Brock and I can bring some of that into this dressing room as well."
Ryan on year two in the NHL: "I feel a lot more comfortable with where I'm at right now having proved myself, I think, proving that I can play in this league last year and proving that I can contribute highly in the American League. … I'm comfortable with my game. I just have to continue to do that and not put a whole lot of pressure on myself. This isn't a do-or-die moment for my career, it's just another hockey game."
McGinn on what he hopes to do tonight: "Just going out and playing the same way we have down there. Just playing with confidence and speed, moving the puck."
McGinn on early-season success in Charlotte: "We've got a very fast team down there. We're playing with a lot of speed and skill, and we are creating a lot of chances off the rush. … We're capitalizing on the opportunities, for sure."
PREGAME: PETERS
12:40 p.m.
Head coach Bill Peters spoke with the media after the Canes' morning skate at PNC Arena. Here are some highlights.
On Bryan Bickell's diagnosis: "I found out yesterday. You've got to wrap your head around that. When I called him he was outstanding. I got to see him this morning, and it was great to see him. He was around his teammates. We're going to do everything we can to support him and help him."
On Bickell on and off the ice: "He's a great guy, a high-character guy. Everyone enjoys being around Bicks. He's a great personality and full of life. He's a guy's guy. A good man, a real good man. We're going to support him in every way we can and help him through this time."
On the recalls of Derek Ryan and Brock McGinn: "We need their offense, and they were good for us last year when they came up. They were playing together in Charlotte, and they're going to play together here tonight. … We're looking to make some changes to make us better."
On the third defensive pairing: "We want somebody to come in there and solidify that third pair. It's open. Whoever it's going to be, it's going to be, but you've got to earn it."
CANES SWAP DEFENSEMEN WITH CHARLOTTE
12:20 p.m.
With defenseman Jakub Nakladal clearing waivers, he's been assigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. In a corresponding move, the Hurricanes have recalled defenseman Matt Tennyson from Charlotte. Tennyson registered his first professional multi-goal game on Friday night with a hat trick in the Checkers' 4-1 win over Iowa.
More details can be found
here
.
CANES LINES: MORNING SKATE
10:35 a.m.
The Hurricanes got back on the ice Saturday morning after a scheduled day off on Friday. With a number of roster moves made Friday, forward lines for tonight look a bit different.
Skinner-Rask-Stempniak
Teravainen-Staal-Aho
McGinn-Ryan-Lindholm
Nordstrom-McClement-Stalberg
Slavin-Pesce
Hanifin-Hainsey
Dahlbeck-Murphy
Ward
Lack
Andrej Nestrasil looks to be the healthy extra up front. Justin Faulk (upper body) skated in a yellow, no-contact sweater.
The #Canes will be in black tonight as we host our Veterans Appreciation Game. More info: https://t.co/KCffVLXsbE pic.twitter.com/gY3Mm2gioi
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 12, 2016
CANES HOST CAPS IN METRO DIVISION SHOWDOWN
6:00 a.m.
The Carolina Hurricanes will look to get on track in their five-game homestand when the Washington Capitals come to town on Saturday night.
This marks the first of four match-ups this season between the Metropolitan Division opponents. The Hurricanes have won just one of their first five games in the month of November and have tallied points in two more. But the team knows it needs to start ticking in the win column with more regularity - and quickly.
"Just keep plugging away," Jeff Skinner said after the Canes' 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. "This is a big, big homestand for us. We know we have to pick up some points. It's back to work next game. That's our mindset."
"We have to stay positive. There are a lot of games left, and now we're home," Teuvo Teravainen said on Thursday night. "We're going to battle hard every night and get some wins."
The Hurricanes attempted to erase a 3-0 deficit against the Ducks on Thursday and pulled within a goal with tallies from Teravainen and Victor Rask before ultimately falling just short.
"When we use our speed, can play a quick transition game, get in on the forecheck and sustain that offensive pressure, that's when we're at our best," Skinner said. "That's what we go to in the third and for us, something we've got to get to on a more consistent basis."
"Three goals, that's a big lead," head coach Bill Peters said after the game. "They went away a lot earlier in the year around the league, but I don't think they're going to be going away as readily moving forward now that we're in the middle of November."
The Capitals are 9-3-1 and rank third in the division with 19 points. Though the Blackhawks tied the Capitals in the last minute of the third period on Friday night, Washington left Chicago with two points in a 3-2 overtime victory.
Looking to infuse their lineup with skill and scoring, the Hurricanes recalled forwards Brock McGinn and Derek Ryan from the Charlotte Checkers on Friday. In nine games played this season, McGinn has posted five goals and three assists (eight points), and Ryan leads the team in scoring with 13 points (5g, 8a).
Retroactive to Monday, Justin Faulk was placed on injured reserve on Friday. He won't be in the lineup tonight, but would be eligible to return as early as Tuesday against San Jose. It was also announced on Friday that forward Bryan Bickell has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and will be sidelined for the time being.
CANESPR NOTES: The Hurricanes will wear their alternate uniform set tonight for the first time this season. The team is 57-34-9 all-time in the black thirds. … The Canes' penalty killing ranks fourth in the league at 89.7 percent (35-for-39). … The Hurricanes have not gone winless in a season series against the Capitals since the 1997-98 season.
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