Ducks at Hurricanes
THE STORY: The Anaheim Ducks will look to rebound from their first regulation loss in 10 contests when they conclude an eight-game road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. While Anaheim has posted a 6-1-3 mark in its last 10 to pull within six points of eighth place in the Western Conference, Carolina is 5-1-2 in its last eight and now sits eight points out of a playoff spot in the East.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSPT, FSCR
ABOUT THE DUCKS (25-25-10): Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry saw his five-game point streak come to an end in a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. Perry netted the overtime winner in a 3-2 triumph over Carolina on Feb. 8 - marking his lone goal in six career contests versus the Hurricanes. Jonas Hiller, who was named the NHL's First Star of the Week, yielded three goals on just 16 shots in Tuesday's loss. Prior to that, the Swiss netminder permitted 12 goals en route to posting a 6-0-2 mark.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (23-26-11): Eric Staal began his six-game point streak with a goal in the Feb. 8 loss to the Ducks. The captain, who has collected six goals and five assists during his streak, tallied twice in Monday's 5-0 trouncing of the Washington Capitals. While Justin Peters secured his first career shutout in that tilt, Ward is expected to make his return from a groin injury on Thursday.
OVERTIME:
1. Left for dead in the West, Anaheim has climbed back into the postseason mix with a 15-4-4 mark since Jan. 6.
2. Carolina C Tuomo Ruutu agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $19 million on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Finn, who is sidelined with an upper body injury, has 17 goals and 13 assists this season.