Penguins at Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes kick off their weekend celebration honoring the 10-year anniversary of the franchise's lone Stanley Cup title on Friday when they open a three-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Cam Ward, who won the 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy, would love nothing more than another chance to compete for the Stanley Cup as he plays in the final season of a six-year, $37.8 million contract.
"I would appreciate it a little more now that I'm in my older years and been in the league a lot longer," Ward told the Raleigh News & Observer. "I hope to get that opportunity again." The 31-year-old Ward improved to 16-7-3 in his career versus Pittsburgh after he made 37 saves in Carolina's 2-1 win on Dec. 19 and turned aside 23 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory on Jan. 12. Ward sat out the next meeting five nights later as Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored twice in a 5-0 rout. Pittsburgh was on the wrong end of a shutout on Wednesday, however, as Crosby saw his career-high seven-game goal streak and 11-game point stretch come to a halt in a 3-0 setback to the New York Rangers.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Carolinas
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (27-19-7): Marc-Andre Fleury ignited a five-game winning streak by turning aside all 22 shots he faced against Carolina on Jan. 17. While Fleury is expected back in net, it is uncertain if defenseman Trevor Daley will be on the ice after he got tangled up with Rangers forward Jesper Fast and was slammed awkwardly into the goal post. Fellow blue-liner Ian Cole is waiting in the wings should Daley be unable to play on Friday.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (24-21-9): All-Star defenseman Justin Faulk left practice early on Thursday after colliding with the boards. Coach Bill Peters did not provide an update on the condition of Faulk, whose 34 points lead the team and his 15 goals are second only to Jeff Skinner. Speaking of Skinner, the former Calder Trophy recipient is riding high on a five-game point streak (two goals, four assists) in addition to scoring the winning goal in overtime against Pittsburgh on Jan. 12.
OVERTIME
1. Carolina C Jordan Staal has scored two goals and set up seven others in his last seven games, but has tallied just once in 11 career meetings against his former team.
2. Pittsburgh LW Chris Kunitz has collected three goals and two assists in his last five road contests.
3. The Stanley Cup will be at PNC Arena on Friday.