When: Saturday, January 1, 1 p.m. EST
Watch:Bally Sports South, Bally Sports App
Listen:99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes.com/Listen, Hurricanes App
Canes Record:22-7-1 (45 Points, 2nd - Metropolitan Division)
Canes Last Game:4-0 Win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, December 30.
Blue Jackets Record:15-13-1 (31 Points, 6th - Metropolitan Division)
Blue Jackets Last Game:4-3 Shootout Win over Nashville Predators on Thursday, December 30.
TRACKING THE STORYLINES:
Not Today, COVID:Yesterday defenseman Brendan Smith rejoined the team for practice, effectively moving the team's current COVID-19 Protocol list to zero. Jesper Fast returned for Thursday's win over Montreal and Freddie Andersen served as the backup to Antti Raanta for the same game. If everyone stays healthy for today's game, it will be the first contest since November 20 that the group is not impacted by COVID-related issues.
Keep The Momentum:Entering tonight Carolina has won seven of their last eight games. Their only loss in the stretch came to the red-hot Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, December 12.
Stuntin' Sebastian:Sebastian Aho enters tonight having recorded multiple points in his last six games played. Recording 14 points during the span, he's only the third player in franchise history to reach that mark and the first since Kevin Dineen, who did so during the 1988-89 season.
Get The First One:The Canes are 15-2-1 when striking first this season.
Additional Notes:
Milestone Watch: Tony DeAngelo needs two more assists to reach 100 in his NHL career.
What Color Are We Wearing?:The team will be wearing their away sweaters tonight.
Worth A Click:
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2021 In Review: A Franchise-Best Year
Recap: Raanta, Canes Shutout Canadiens
All-Star Fan Voting Open Now
