The Hurricanes, who went 5-2-1 on a just-completed eight-game homestand, hold the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference with 63 points, one point behind the Devils, who have the first wild card. A Hurricanes win in regulation would boost them past the Devils in the standings.
Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward, who is expected to start for the 10th time in 13 games, is 5-1-1 with a 2.13 goals-against average in his past seven starts.
Devils left wing Taylor Hall has 11 points (six goals, five assists) during an eight-game point streak since returning from a thumb injury Jan. 30. Hall had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) during a seven-game point streak before missing three games because of the injury.
