The Detroit Red Wings host the Carolina Hurricanes this evening (7:00 PM EST on FSD/FS Carolinas/97.1 FM) at Little Caesars Arena, and tonight is “Hockey Is For Everyone” night at LCA:
We believe #HockeyisforEveryone. We support any teammate, coach or fan who brings heart, energy and passion to the rink. On the ice, in the stands, or in the locker room – hockey welcomes all. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/jDjL3imJ5B
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 24, 2018
The Red Wings hope to put a dent in the Hurricanes’ playoff hopes this evening, while Carolina hopes to snap an 0-3-and-1 streak minus Jordan Staal.
Detroit didn’t hold a morning skate on Saturday, choosing to rest up due to their 2-games-in-2-nights schedule (and the Wings are wrapping up a set of 10 games played over the course of 18 nights.
#ForTheKidspic.twitter.com/0c4bbJvKKu
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 24, 2018
EDIT/UPDATE: never mind, it looks like the Wings “took an optional”…
.@justinabss joined us this morning to meet 100+ youth and adult hockey players from a variety of areas and communities as a part of #HockeyIsForEveryone! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/YwTt7Q1hyB
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 24, 2018
Carolina didn’t hold a morning skate either, as they lost 6-1 to Pittsburgh on Friday and flew to Detroit late on Friday night:
The Hurricanes will not hold a morning skate on Saturday. Bill Peters will be available to the media at 5 p.m. outside Carolina’s locker room at Littler Caesars Arena.
— Hurricanes PR (@CanesPR) February 24, 2018
But the Hurricanes’ website posted a set of game notes, and their Game Day hub’s Michael Smith penned the following game preview:
The Hurricanes will face off with the Red Wings in the second half of this 13th back-to-back of the season, a chance to put a tourniquet on this four-game winless streak (0-3-1).
In four consecutive games against the Metropolitan Division, the Canes earned just one of a possible eight points and were outscored 17-5 in that stretch, statistics acerbated by the Canes’ 6-1 loss at home on Friday.
“There was really nothing good about it,” Justin Williams said. “The storyline is they outworked us and showed us they wanted it more tonight. That’s frustrating because we’ve got to be better.”
“It was a tough game for us,” said Teuvo Teravainen, who scored his 15th goal of the season to match his career high from a year ago. “They scored a lot of goals and got the momentum. We never really came back. We didn’t fight enough. It can’t happen.”
Jordan Staal was a late scratch in Friday’s game due to a family/personal matter. He’s not expected to play on Saturday, either, according to head coach Bill Peters. Lucas Wallmark, recalled on Friday afternoon from Charlotte, will be available.
The Red Wings will be closing out a four-game homestand on Saturday night, looking for their first win of the week (0-2-1). The Wings are 12-13-8 at the new Little Caesars Arena this season.
Saturday’s showdown will draw an end to the three-game series between the Canes and Wings, with the road team emerging victorious in the first two games; Carolina won 3-1 in Detroit coming off the bye week on Jan. 20, and the Red Wings bested the Canes 4-1 in Raleigh on Feb. 2.
FYI:
We’re back at the Van tonight for Toy Night against the @IAWild! Catch the broadcast live on @WOODRADIO, @AHLLive or follow along on your #Griffins app. #GoGRG #IAvsGR pic.twitter.com/ALurINHq95
— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) February 24, 2018
Tonight, we raise the banner on our third class of the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame. Get in your seats early.
Info: https://t.co/etnHgUYXgA pic.twitter.com/FEUe0ujYIK
— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) February 24, 2018
Update: ETC ETC.
? @justinabss#ForTheKids #HockeyIsForEveryone pic.twitter.com/RhY5j1Db4T
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 24, 2018
Should be an interesting game. Wings being at home is really not a benefit as it should be. Just the home game record being close to normal would put the Wings higher in the standings. Under .500 Hockey is not good enough and really not normal.
Do the Canes have the “Home Ice Advantage ” at the LCA??
I think every opponent has home-ice advantage at LCA. Detroit’s way below .500 at home…