MATCH: Penguins vs. Hurricanes
TIME: 7 p.m. EST
PLACE: PPG Paints Arena
TV: ROOT Sports
RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Pittsburgh is going for a sweep of back-to-back contests having defeated New Jersey last night, 5-2, at Prudential Center … The Pens have won 3 of their last 4 games, including the home-and-home series against the Devils … The Pens are undefeated in their last 9 home games (8-0-1), and their last 4 contests against Carolina overall (3-0-1) … Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each have 19 points in the month of December, and both are 1-point behind NHL scoring leader Connor McDavid (42-41) … Justin Schultz leads all NHL D-men in scoring in the month of December with 16 points (6G-10A). He scored the game-winner against New Jersey last night ... The team will announce its starting goaltender tonight at 5 p.m. Marc-Andre Fleury has won his last 2 starts, including last night. Matt Murray is unbeaten in his last 13 at home (11-0-2) … The Pens announced Wednesday morning that defenseman Brian Dumoulin will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken jaw, suffered in last night's game … Olli Maatta missed last night's game with an illness. Meanwhile Kris Letang (lower-body, 6 games missed), Trevor Daley (upper-body, 5) and Tom Kuhnhackl (lower-body, 5) all made the trip to Jersey, but did not play … Carolina has won 3 straight games and is 4-0-1 in its past 5 … The Hurricanes are led by the scoring combo of Jeff Skinner (13G-14A-27PTS) and Victor Rask (10G-16A-26PTS) … The Pens will be wearing their "road" white jerseys for the contest.
MORNING SKATE REPORT:
The Pens did not hold a morning skate due to playing last night in New Jersey.
