[7:09 PM] Canucks @ Hurricanes

Who will WIN this matchup?

Vancouver Canucks (12-15-2)

@ Carolina Hurricanes (11-11-6)

 

Starting Goalies:

Ryan Miller (VAN): Confirmed

Cam Ward (CAR): Confirmed

 

• Carolina is coming off a stretch in which it played nine of 11 on the road, going 4-5-2 in that span. Six of those seven losses have been by one goal, but the Hurricanes have been a tough out at home, winning six in a row at PNC Arena.

• The Canucks are making the final stop of a five-game road trip and coming off consecutive losses in a weekend back-to-back to fall to 1-3-0 on the trek. “It’s just tough right now. We’ve got to come together as a group,” Vancouver netminder Jacob Markstrom said.

• Jannik Hansen returned to the lineup in Sunday’s 3-0 loss at Washington after missing more than a month with broken ribs. Hansen, who registered a career-high 22 goals last season, was relieved to hear that Vancouver general manager Jim Benning will not ask key veterans to waive their no-trade clauses.

• Carolina also could be getting back a key player as forward Jordan Staal appears poised to return to the lineup after missing seven games due to a concussion. Staal practiced Monday for the first time since he was injured, the result of taking a stick to the head against Florida on Nov. 27, and a decision for his status is expected to be made at Tuesday’s morning skate.

• Hurricanes F Jeff Skinner, the team leader with 22 points, has one assist in eight games versus the Canucks.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Carolina Hurricanes

Confidence: 5/10

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