Karlsson-Skinner 3-24

HURRICANES (32-31-11) at SENATORS (26-36-11)
7 p.m. ET; SN1, CITY, FS-CR, NHL.TV

Karlsson missed the previous two games because of a family matter.
Goalie Mike Condon will start for the Senators, who will try to end a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).
The Hurricanes trail the New Jersey Devils by nine points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

Players to watch

Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho has three goals and seven assists during a seven-game point streak.
Karlsson has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in his past 10 games.

They said it

"We've got to tighten up. We're not efficient in the [defensive] zone at all. We've got to have a more physical component there to put an end to some of those cycles. Lots of chasing right now." -- Hurricanes coach Bill Peters
"He makes us a better team, but more importantly, he's a part of this family. He's a brother to all of us. We can't even imagine what him and [Melinda] are going through, but just to have him here, guys were giving him hugs, happy to see him, it was really uplifting for us." -- Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki on the return of defenseman Erik Karlsson

Hurricanes projected lineup
Senators projected lineup
Status report

The Senators will dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Senators coach Guy Boucher said Gaborik will not play because of a nagging injury. Stone has not received medical clearance to return to practice.

Stat pack

The Senators have allowed 13 goals in losing their past two games; the Hurricanes have allowed 12 but are 1-1-0. … Pyatt will play in his 400th NHL game.