Devils at Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes recorded a huge road victory last time out to end their six-game losing streak and come home on Friday to face another team battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in the New Jersey Devils. The Hurricanes scored a total of nine goals during their 0-4-2 slide before jumping on Philadelphia in the first two periods en route to Thursday's 4-1 triumph.
Carolina outshot the red-hot Flyers 28-14 over the first 40 minutes to take a 3-0 lead and cruised in the third period as it moved closer to the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes look to avenge a pair of losses last month against New Jersey, which occupies the first wild-card spot despite dropping a 3-2 decision at Florida on Thursday. Cory Schneider returned from a groin injury that kept him sidelined since Jan. 23 to turn aside 26 shots for the Devils in the loss. New Jersey’s leading point producer, Taylor Hall scored his career-high 28th goal in Thursday’s loss and has notched at least one point in 23 consecutive games in which he has played, accumulating 16 tallies and 17 assists during that stretch.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New Jersey), FS Carolinas
ABOUT THE DEVILS (33-23-8): Patrick Maroon collected a pair of assists in 13 minutes, 16 seconds of ice time during his debut with the team on Thursday after being acquired from Edmonton at Monday's trade deadline. Michael Grabner, who also was obtained prior to the deadline, has yet to notch a point in his first three games in the lineup. Rookie Jesper Bratt snapped a seven-game point drought Thursday with his 13th goal of the season, but defenseman Will Butcher - also a rookie - has not landed on the scoresheet in his last nine contests.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (28-25-11): Teuvo Teravainen scored his fourth goal in five games Thursday while fellow Finn Sebastian Aho netted a tally and set up another as they both reached the 50-point plateau. Justin Williams led the way with a pair of goals and an assist against Philadelphia, ending a five-game stretch during which he failed to register a point. Jordan Staal recorded an assist on Thursday in his return to the lineup after missing three games in order to be with his wife after the tragic death of their infant daughter.
OVERTIME
1. New Jersey rookie C Nico Hischier is second on the team with 41 points after recording 10 in his last 10 contests.
2. Carolina LW Joakim Nordstrom missed Thursday’s game due to an eye injury and is not expected to be in the lineup against New Jersey.
3. Devils D Sami Vatanen recorded his ninth assist in 10 games on Thursday and has notched 20 points in 40 contests since being acquired from Anaheim.