Senators at Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are buried in last place in the Metropolitan Division, but remain well within striking distance of a postseason slot. The same cannot be said for the Ottawa Senators, who are a distant seventh in the Atlantic and riding a five-game losing streak as they return from the All-Star break to visit the Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
The Hurricanes are only five points behind second-place Columbus in the division and have a change to make a charge up the standings as they play eight straight and 11 of their next 12 at home. Carolina has lost all four games at PNC Arena in January, but it owns a 16-game home point streak (14-0-2) against Ottawa. The Senators scored only seven goals during their five-game skid and are two points ahead of last-place Buffalo after coming within one win of reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season. With Ottawa's playoff hopes flattened, the focus will turn to general manager Pierre Dorion and whether he decides make some major changes to the roster by the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, RDS2, TSN5 (Ottawa), FS Carolina
ABOUT THE SENATORS (15-23-9): With its offense already stuck in the mud, Ottawa received more bad news when leading scorer Mark Stone was placed on injured reserve Monday. Stone, who tops the Senators with 18 goals and 44 points, missed the last three games and was initially expected to return following the All-Star break, but he had a setback on Friday. Ottawa will get its first look at forward Magnus Paajarvi, who was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues after collecting four points in 44 games this season.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (22-19-8): Sebastian Aho, who leads the team with 16 goals, practiced for the first time since suffering a concussion on Jan. 14 and could be back in the lineup if he is medically cleared. "It's always fun to skate with the guys and like I said, I felt good so I'm happy," Aho said after Monday's practice. "Every game is really important right now and and want to get those points every night." Defenseman Noah Hanifin warmed up for his All-Star appearance by collecting three assists at Montreal on Thursday.
OVERTIME
1. Senators G Craig Anderson is 9-4-4 with a 2.25 goals-against average versus Carolina.
2. Aho scored eight goals in 10 games since the Christmas break.
3. Ottawa recalled Fs Chris DiDomenico and Colin White and D Erik Burgdoerfer from its AHL affiliate and put C Gabriel Dumont on IR.