Preview: Calgary Flames @ Carolina Hurricanes, 2/3/19 (53/82): Bill Peters Returns Home For First Time

Calgary Flames @ Carolina Hurricanes, 12:00 PM MT, PNC Arena, Raleigh NC

TV: SN360

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 33-14-5 (71) – Carolina Hurricanes 25-20-6 (56)

NHL Standings

The Flames will close out their first of three road trips this month with a visit to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. Calgary dropped their first game of this mini trip in Washington Friday night 4-3 with a very sluggish and uninspiring performance against the Capitals. The loss was bad, but the worst part of the outcome was Calgary losing Travis Hamonic in the first period. Hamonic got tangled up on a play and fell to the ice and landed on his leg awkwardly. The tough luck defenceman only had one shift after returning to the ice and was done for the evening. The Flames recalled Rinat Valiev from the Stockton Heat to resumably take the open spot on the Calgary roster. Whether he will play or not is still to be determined and there’s been no update from th Flames as to how severe or not severe Hamonic’s injury is. The Flames could also be without two other important cogs in the machine according to reports from yesterday’s practice. Both Mark Jankowski and Elias Lindholm left the ice and didn’t finish practice for undisclosed reasons. Prior to losing to Washington the Flames had collected a point in nine straight games.

The Hurricanes went into the break with a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks and their success against the Pacific continued with a 5-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night. Overall the Canes have won three of their last five and their up and down season is strarting to get interesting again. Carolina is just out of the final Wild Card spot in the East with 56 points, three behind the Columbius Blue Jackets who hold the final WC slot.

This will be an emotional game for both sides as Bill Peters, Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Derek Ryan all return to Carolina for the first time since Peters was fired and everyone else was either traded for or signed. Peters spent four seasons with the Hurricanes, compiling a 137-138-53 record during his tenure. The deal was been a major success for Calgary, but the returns was have been average best for Carolina. These two last met in Calgary on January 22nd with Calgary beating the Canes 3-2 at the Saddledome. The Flames are 3-2-0 in their last five when visiting the Canes.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 19-4-4, 2.47 GAA, .918 Save%

Hurricanes: Mrazek (E)- 10-10-3, 2.80 GAA, .894 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (29), Points- Gaudreau (74), PIM- Bennett (72), Save%- Rittich (.918)

Hurricanes: Goals- Aho (23), Points- Aho (58), PIM- Svechnikov (46), Save%- McElhinney (.914)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Carolina Hurricanes Coverage: Canes Country

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 – Washington Capitals 4

Carolina Hurricanes 5 – Vegas Golden Knights 2

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Mikael Backlund (C): 13G – 17A, 5 points in last 3 games

Carolina Hurricanes

Sebastian Aho (F): 23G – 35A, 7 points in last 4 games

by Mark Parkinson