Henrik Lundqvist is expected to make his fifth straight start in goal for the New York Rangers, who are looking for their fourth straight win. Forward Pavel Buchnevich, who missed the past five games with back spasms, will be back in the New York lineup and replace Josh Jooris, who sustained a separated shoulder against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. Defenseman Dylan McIlrath cleared waivers Friday and will be assigned to Hartford of the American Hockey League. He played in one game with the Rangers this season. Forward Chris Kreider, who suffered neck spasms in a 4-2 win against the Washington Capitals last Saturday, will miss his third consecutive game. Kreider skated with the Rangers in New York on Thursday but did not make the trip to Carolina. The Rangers did not skate Friday morning.
Hurricanes team scope
Left wing Jeff Skinner is expected to be in the lineup for the Carolina Hurricanes home opener after missing one game with a middle-body injury. A decision will be made on Skinner following the pregame skate, Carolina coach Bill Peters said. Skinner has two goals and four assists in five games this season. The Hurricanes lost back-to-back games against the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings to finish their season-opening road trip with a 1-3-2 record. "We're happy to be home," Peters said. "I know I'm happy to have the last change and control some matchups and the pace of the game a little bit." Defenseman Klas Dahlbeck returns to the lineup after serving as a healthy scratch against the Red Wings on Tuesday. Peters will return to using Ron Hainsey and Justin Faulk as Carolina's top defense pair, but said he likely will split them up when necessary to exploit favorable matchups. Goaltender Cam Ward will start, marking his first starts in consecutive games this season.
Murphy, who is on injured reserve, took the morning skate with the Hurricanes. He is likely a couple weeks from returning. ... Fast, who skated with Clendening and Raanta on Friday, is expected to play. He missed the Rangers practice on Thursday, when he took a maintenance day.
Who's hot
Vesey and Pirri each have three goals and an assist in the past three games. ... Rask has a six-game scoring streak (4-3-7). ... New York has won 19 of the past 21 meetings with Carolina, dating back to Feb. 22, 2011.
