Preview: Hurricanes at Ducks

HURRICANES (10-10-5) at DUCKS (12-9-5)
10:30 p.m. ET; FS-W, FS-CR, NHL.TV

Hurricanes team scope

The Carolina Hurricanes are aiming to play more consistent defense in front of goaltender Cam Ward. After winning five straight, Ward has gone 1-3-1 with eight goals allowed in his past five starts. A lack of defensive structure in front of Ward has led to Carolina's recent struggles, according to coach Bill Peters. "His numbers in the month of November were fantastic," Peters said. "Ward has been real good for us. When we play real good in front of Ward with good structure, he does his part." The Hurricanes have been more consistent in that effort over the past month, but it still begins with Ward, according to forward Viktor Stalberg. "When he plays better, we play better in front of him, and when we play better, he plays better," Stalberg said. "I think we're a really good defensive team. We make it really hard on teams and take away a lot of time and space out there and really limit their grade-A chances."

Ducks team scope

Anaheim Ducks forward Stefan Noesen will play his first NHL game this season and third of his NHL career on Wednesday. Noesen, 23, was recalled from San Diego of the American Hockey League following the Gulls' 4-3 overtime win against Bakersfield on Tuesday. Noesen scored the tying goal to force overtime and received news of his call-up shortly thereafter. A versatile two-way forward, Noesen, selected No. 21 by the Ottawa Senators in the 2011 NHL Draft, has played in one game for the Ducks in each of the past two seasons. "We think that the move from right wing to center has allowed him to develop more of his game," coach Randy Carlyle said. "He's skating more and he's made a contribution as their best forward down there. So it was easy to make that call." Noesen likely will center Anaheim's fourth line, playing between Ryan Garbutt and Logan Shaw. Noesen has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 18 games with San Diego. "I've got to compete and move my feet, be responsible defensively," he said. "If I'm able to contribute offensively, I'll be very happy about it."

Hurricanes projected lineup

Jeff Skinner -- Victor Rask -- Phillip Di Giuseppe
Sebastian Aho -- Teuvo Teravainen -- Lee Stempniak
Brock McGinn -- Derek Ryan -- Andrej Nestrasil
Joakim Nordstrom -- Jay McClement -- Viktor Stalberg
Ron Hainsey -- Justin Faulk
Jaccob Slavin -- Brett Pesce
Noah Hanifin -- Matt Tennyson
Cam Ward
Michael Leighton
Scratched:Klas Dahlbeck, Ryan Murphy
Injured:Bryan Bickell (illness), Eddie Lack (concussion), Jordan Staal (concussion), Elias Lindholm (lower body)

Ducks projected lineup

Nick Ritchie -- Ryan Getzlaf -- Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano -- Ryan Kesler -- Jakob Silfverberg
Joseph Cramarossa -- Antoine Vermette -- Ondrej Kase
Ryan Garbutt -- Stefan Noesen -- Logan Shaw
Cam Fowler -- Sami Vatanen
Hampus Lindholm -- Josh Manson
Shea Theodore -- Kevin Bieksa
John Gibson
Jonathan Bernier
Scratched:Korbinian Holzer, Jared Boll
Injured:Rickard Rakell (lower body), Clayton Stoner (lower body), Nate Thompson (achilles), Simon Despres (concussion symptoms)

Status report

The Ducks sent forward Chris Wagner to San Diego on Tuesday. … Ritchie likely will rejoin Anaheim's top line with Getzlaf and Perry in Rakell's absence. Rakell took part in the morning skate, but the Ducks didn't take full line rushes. Carlyle did not have an update afterward and said he did not know if Rakell would participate in the pregame warmup. … Tennyson was part of the morning skate following a day off for what was described as "maintenance" and is expected to be in the lineup. … Elias Lindholm skated in the morning but was ruled out for the game.

Who's hot

Stalberg has four goals and an assist in the past five games. … Kesler has seven points (three goals, four assists) in the past six games and points in five of those six; Getzlaf has four assists in a three-game point streak.