Canadiens at Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are only three points out of playoff position and hope to continue their climb in the standings when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. The Hurricanes have won five of their last six contests after Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Buffalo that opened a three-game homestand, and own at least a point in 11 of 15 games in Raleigh this season (8-4-3).
“We’re doing a better job of playing hard, playing simple,” Carolina forward Teuvo Teravainen told the Raleigh News & Observer after notching three assists Saturday. “Nothing too fancy. Just play a hard game.” The Hurricanes must improve in the scoring department - standing 23rd in the league at 2.74 goals per game - and it won’t be easy to continue that process against Montreal goalie Carey Price, who is 8-3-1 with a .927 save percentage since coming off injured reserve. The Canadiens begin the southeastern section of a seven-game road stretch, which moves on to Tampa Bay and Florida later in the week, after winning two of the first four contests while showing inconsistency on offense (2.69 per game). “We’re playing better,” Montreal captain Max Pacioretty told reporters after Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Edmonton. “We still have to find ways to create offense.”
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), FSN Carolinas
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (16-16-4): Pacioretty owns 20 points - one behind team leader Phillip Danault - but has been held without a goal for nine straight contests despite 26 shots. “He was robbed in Vancouver of pretty much a sure goal and then he scores a nice goal in Calgary and it’s called back because of an offside,” Montreal coach Claude Julien said of Pacioretty. “He’s being challenged mentally, but he has to stick with it and, eventually, it will go in.” Leading goal scorer Brendan Gallagher (14) managed only one tally in the past eight games and fellow forward Jonathan Drouin has been held to one point in the last six.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (16-12-7): Veteran goalie Cam Ward has earned more time in net over Scott Darling (8-10-6) by winning seven of his last eight decisions and going 5-0-1 with a .915 save percentage in December. “I’m enjoying it,” Ward, who owns 301 career victories, told reporters. “You have a new-found appreciation for the game when you’re not playing as much and trying to take advantage of the opportunities that you’re given.” Teravainen leads a balanced offense with eight players between 28 and 19 points while left wing Jeff Skinner boasts a team-high 12 goals with five of his 26 points in the last four games.
OVERTIME
1. Canadiens fourth-line LW Nicolas Deslauriers has three of his four goals on the season in his last three contests.
2. Carolina C Jordan Staal, who is slated to play his 800th game Wednesday, has three of his 197 career goals in the last five contests.
3. Montreal C Tomas Plekanec is three points away from 600 in his career and owns seven in his last 10 outings.