Predators at Hurricanes
THE STORY: With their roster set, the Nashville Predators are ready to make a drive to what they hope is a deep playoff run – if not a Stanley Cup championship. The Predators begin their quest Tuesday when they clash with the host Carolina Hurricanes. This is the second and final meeting this season. The Predators won the first game 5-2 at home on Jan. 7.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Predators), FS Carolina (Hurricanes)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (37-19-7): Mission accomplished in Nashville as the Predators added two key players - Paul Gaustad and Andrei Kostitsyn - at Monday’s trade deadline. Gaustad, along with a 2013 fourth-round draft pick, were acquired from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2012 first-round pick. Gaustad has seven goals and 10 assists this season and is in the top 10 in the NHL in faceoff percentage. He went to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2006 and 2007 with the Sabres. Kostitsyn, who will be reunited with his brother Sergei, was acquired from Montreal for a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round selection in 2013.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (23-26-13): Despite being mired in a disappointing season, Carolina opted not to sell off its assets Monday. The Hurricanes didn’t pull the trigger on any deadline deals, despite interest in defensemen Bryan Allen and Jaroslav Spacek. “The defensemen were the ones that got the most action,” president and general manager Jim Rutherford said. “Spacek was the guy teams called about, for the most part. But, we never got to the point of getting an offer.” Despite being quiet at the deadline, changes are expected in Carolina. “We’ve built a structure here where we’re close to getting back to where we should be, but it’s going to be that big move that we really need to make if it comes available.”
OVERTIME:
1. Hurricanes captain Eric Staal extended his point streak to eight games, while Jiri Tlusty had his nine-game streak end Saturday against Florida.
2. Carolina is 9-0-6 in its last 15 games when it scores the first goal.