Sharks at Hurricanes
THE STORY: The Carolina Hurricanes are getting used to life on the road, but Friday's tilt versus the San Jose Sharks represents the club's lone home contest in a two-week period. The infrequent rivals are meeting for the first – and only – time this season, with Carolina claiming victories in three of the last four contests. The Hurricanes improved to 3-0-2 in their last five by rallying for a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSCA, FSCR
ABOUT THE SHARKS (31-17-7): San Jose suffered its fourth loss in six games when it dropped a 6-5 overtime decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Antti Niemi struggled mightily, permitting six goals on just 25 shots. The 28-year-old Finn will likely be a spectator on Friday as Thomas Greiss has won his last two starts and yielded a total of eight goals in his last five matches. Prior to Thursday's contest, the Sharks acquired versatile C Dominic Moore from the Lightning. Tampa Bay received San Jose’s second-round pick in the 2012 NHL entry draft, previously owned by the Minnesota Wild. The Sharks also get the Lightning’s seventh-round selection in 2012.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (21-25-11): Reigning Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner was named the Triangle's Sports Person of the Year by the Greater Raleigh (N.C.) Sports Council. “It was a crazy year,” the 19-year-old Skinner said at the ceremony. “Looking back on it, you’re able to take in everything a lot more clearly than going through it. I have a lot of people to thank.” Captain Eric Staal, who tallied twice versus Montreal, has recorded four goals and two assists in his last three games.
OVERTIME:
1. San Jose C Torrey Mitchell ended an 11-game stretch without a point by notching a pair of assists on Thursday.
2. Hurricanes RW Tuomo Ruutu suffered an upper-body injury during Monday's contest. Ruutu, who turned 29 on Thursday, is sidelined three to four weeks with the injury.