Preview: Senators at Hurricanes

SENATORS (32-20-6) at HURRICANES (24-24-8)
7:30 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN5, FS-CR, NHL.TV

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Senators team scope

Forward Mike Hoffman will not play, and forward Mark Stone is doubtful for the Ottawa Senators, who can move into first place in the Atlantic Division with a victory; Ottawa is two points behind the Montreal Canadiens with three games in hand. Hoffman, sidelined with a groin injury, took part in the optional morning skate but won't dress. Coach Guy Boucher said Stone, who injured his neck Sunday, might take the warmup before a decision is made, but indicated he's not likely to play. Goaltender Craig Anderson will make his second straight start, coming off a 2-1 win at the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. The Senators had an optional skate, with nine skaters and two goaltenders. This is the second of a four-game road trip for Ottawa, which has won three of its past four. The Senators have defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 twice this season, once in regulation and once in overtime.

Hurricanes team scope

Goaltender Eddie Lack will make his sixth start of the season and second since being activated from injured reserve Jan. 26 following a concussion. The Hurricanes lost 5-0 at the Washington Capitals in his previous start on Feb. 7. It's the first game for Carolina since it traded veteran defenseman Ron Hainsey to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. The remaining defensemen will take up the slack for Hainsey, who averaged 3:03 of shorthanded ice time per game. "The guy who hasn't killed [penalties] much is [Justin] Faulk, so he's going to assume a bigger role there," coach Bill Peters said. "Tonight, [Klas] Dahlbeck is in the lineup, and he has killed for us, so he'll get an opportunity there, too." The Hurricanes will try to end a five-game losing streak, their second in a span of 13 games. Forward Bryan Bickell, who has been receiving treatment for multiple sclerosis, cleared waivers Friday and was assigned to Charlotte of the American Hockey League.

Senators projected lineup

Ryan Dzingel -- Kyle Turris -- Tom Pyatt
Zack Smith -- Derick Brassard -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Chris Kelly -- Tommy Wingels -- Curtis Lazar
Casey Bailey -- Max McCormick -- Chris Neil
Marc Methot -- Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf -- Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki -- Chris Wideman
Craig Anderson
Mike Condon
Scratched:Fredrik ClaessonInjured: Clarke MacArthur (concussion), Bobby Ryan (finger), Mike Hoffman (groin), Mark Stone (neck)

Hurricanes projected lineup

Sebastian Aho -- Victor Rask -- Elias Lindholm
Brock McGinn -- Jordan Staal -- Phillip Di Giuseppe
Jeff Skinner -- Teuvo Teravainen -- Lee Stempniak
Joakim Nordstrom -- Jay McClement -- Viktor Stalberg
Jaccob Slavin -- Justin Faulk
Noah Hanifin -- Brett Pesce
Klas Dahlbeck -- Ryan Murphy
Eddie Lack
Cam Ward

Scratched:Derek Ryan, Matt TennysonInjured: None

Status report

The Senators will not make any changes to the lineup they used against New Jersey. Hoffman stayed on the ice for extra work at the morning skate. ... Hanifin will step into the top four on defense and will be paired with Pesce. Murphy will play on the third pair with Dahlbeck.

Who's hot

The Senators are 7-2-0 in their past nine road games. Karlsson has eight points (two goals, six assists) during a six-game point streak. Turris has five points (two goals, three assists) in the past four games. … Skinner has goals in two of the past three games.