Stars @ Hurricanes 4/3-4/4

[Harbingers]

The beginning of our 8 game homestand, the longest of the season. Where we will face Dallas, Florida, Detroit and finally a feisty Nashville with 16 total points on the line. Also the first game under the rebrand of fox sports Carolina.

"The Carolina Hurricanes open a season-long, eight-game homestand with a two-game series against the Dallas Stars.

The Match-Up

Dallas Stars (12-12-10, 34 points) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (24-8-3, 51 points)

Saturday, April 3, 7 p.m.

Watch: Bally Sports South, FOX Sports GO

Listen: 99.9 FM The Fan, Hurricanes.com/Listen, Hurricanes app

Tracking the Storylines

Home Cooking: Of the Canes' remaining 21 games in the regular season, 13 will be played at PNC Arena, beginning with the team's longest homestand of the season that will see the Canes play eight straight games at home over a 15-day stretch. The Canes are 11-1-3 at home this season, a points percentage of .833 that ranks second in the NHL.

"It's great, I'll be honest with you. This year feels really weird. It feels like we've had a lot of road time," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said on Friday. "It's all about getting ready, but it's nice not being in hotels and stuff to refresh that way."

Managing the Load: With Thursday's game in Chicago, the Canes kicked off the final month-and-a-half of the regular season, during which the team is scheduled to play 22 games in 40 days, or one game every 1.82 days. It's going to be a grueling stretch run of the season, with the Canes still eyeing a first-place finish in the Central Division. (Addition: Our last and only remaining two days in a row off comes between Detroit and Nashville on April 13th and 14th)

"We haven't practiced very much. We've had a lot of meetings virtually. That's our practice," Brind'Amour said. "It's not physically as demanding as people think. It's the mental stuff to get ready to play a game, a lot of mental energy that has to go in it. When you're at the rink every day grinding, that takes a toll. That's the stuff you have to manage."

The Opposition

Last five games: 2-1-2, 6 points
On the road: 5-6-3, 13 points
CAR vs. DAL: 4-0-0
Leading scorer: Joe Pavelski, 34 points (15g, 19a) in 34 games

Though they sit in seventh place in the Central Division, the Stars are only five points out of a playoff spot - and they have four games in hand. Those games in hand only mean something if the Stars win them, of course, but it's not inconceivable to imagine last year's Western Conference champions making a late push for the postseason. The Stars earned three of a possible four points in Nashville, the beginning of a six-game road trip that ends in Chicago next week."

 

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/gameday-preview-dallas-stars-carolina-hurricanes/c-323198274

Canes got this up pretty early so I don't expect a projected roster/goalie until late afternoon, or at least after morning skate on the goalie front. TB and Florida play early today.

 

Edited April 3, 2021 by Harbingers

[Harbingers]

Wow that's early.

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/projected-lineup-dallas-stars-carolina-hurricanes/c-323221014

"The Carolina Hurricanes' longest homestand of the season opens with two games against the Dallas Stars.

Alex Nedeljkovic will get the start in net, and Jesper Fast, though he didn't skate this morning, will be good to go for the game, according to head coach Rod Brind'Amour.

GAME PREVIEW

Here is the projected lineup for the Hurricanes.

Forwards

McGinn-Aho-Necas
Svechnikov-Trocheck-Fast
Niederreiter-Staal-Foegele
Paquette-Lorentz-Martinook

Defensemen

Slavin-Hamilton
Skjei-Pesce
Fleury-Bean

Goalies

Nedeljkovic
Reimer

Injuries: Mrazek (right thumb), Teravainen (concussion symptoms; injured reserve)

Taxi squad: Gardiner, Geekie, Keane, Warm"

I don't get whats up with Mrazek. If he could play an AHL game he can play an NHL medically. Ned still needs what 7-8 out of the last 23? How much is that, goalie circus or Mrazek mentally?

[Harbingers]

Come on Detroit get your game together! 2 on 5 shots. 

[Harbingers]

Oof TB took that one 2-1.

[Harbingers]

Alright let’s get this show on ice. 

[Popsickle]

 Not a fan of the new in game display. 

[Harbingers]

Just now, Popsickle said:

 Not a fan of the new in game display. 

Nope. Get that poo out of my view. 

[Harbingers]

Come on Ned. 

[Harbingers]

3 minutes ago, Popsickle said:

 Not a fan of the new in game display. 

The new Overlay was blocking Neds view too apparently. 

[Harbingers]

What is it old people day at PNC? There isn’t any energy in that building. 

Edited April 3, 2021 by Harbingers

[Harbingers]

Hamilton with that slow roll. 

[Popsickle]

10 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

What is it old people day at PNC? There isn’t any energy in that building. 

My daughter is on spring break, we will be going to a game next week. We will try and make some noise for you then. 

[Harbingers]

@Stumpy

 

[Harbingers]

Dammit Svech and Dammit Ned.