Hurricanes at Panthers
THE STORY: The Florida Panthers have been enjoying considerable success at home this season - although they are making their fans bite their fingernails in the process. The Southeast Division-leading Panthers have collected points in their last seven home games (5-0-2) - with their last 11 home tilts being decided by just one goal (5-1-5). While Florida has been causing a stir, Eastern Conference cellar-dwelling Carolina has struggled mightily away from Raleigh - posting a 4-9-3 mark. Former Panther Kirk Muller will return to the Sunshine State as Carolina hopes to buck the recent trends during Sunday's game against Florida. In Muller's first game since taking over for the fired Paul Maurice, Shawn Matthias tallied twice as the Panthers skated to a 3-1 win on Nov. 29. After struggling to play within Muller's system, the Hurricanes have recorded a 2-1-1 mark in their last four contests. "We're playing better without the puck," Muller said. "It's not perfect, but we're getting there. Everyone has to bring something. You can't just go out, jump over the boards and play the game."
TV: 5 p.m. ET, FSFL
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (10-18-5): With reigning Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner sidelined with a concussion, Drayson Bowman did his best to fill his shoes on Thursday. After being recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League, Bowman tallied twice to double his career total in Carolina's 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Cam Ward boasts a 12-8-1 career mark versus Florida, but has dropped three straight decisions while posting a gaudy 5.45 goals-against average. Ward stopped 18 of 19 shots in their last meeting on Nov. 29.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (17-9-6): After being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 22, Mikael Samuelsson collected his first two assists with Florida this season in Friday's 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. The contest was Samuelsson's fourth with the Panthers. Sean Bergenheim netted a pair of goals in a regular-season game for the first time since February. Stephen Weiss, who scored the decisive goal in the shootout, has recorded just three goals in his last 12 games.
OVERTIME:
1. Both coaches know a thing or two about their opponents. Muller played for the Panthers from 1996-99 while Florida coach Kevin Dineen played for the Hurricanes in two separate stints.
2. Panthers G Jose Theodore improved to 17-12-3 in his career versus the Hurricanes after stopping 26 shots in their previous meeting. He has won four of his last five starts against Carolina.