Seeking Revenge
After suffering a disappointing loss to the Florida Panthers their last time out, the Carolina Hurricanes don’t have to wait long for a chance at revenge.
The Hurricanes look to bounce back and win their 11th straight home game over the Panthers when the Southeast Division rivals meet on Saturday night at the RBC Center.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Carolina -185 money line favorites (NHL Odds) for today’s game, the over/under has been set at 6 goals (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 76% of bets for this game have been placed on Carolina -185 (View NHL Bet Percentages).
On Wednesday, Carolina (7-3-3) was on the verge of winning its eighth straight overall against Florida, but collapsed late. The Hurricanes allowed four third-period goals, including three in the final six minutes, en route to a 4-2 loss.
"Obviously when you don’t like the outcome and you don’t like the results, you feel like you have more to show and more that you can do against that opponent. To get them back right away I think is a good thing," Carolina coach Peter Laviolette told the Hurricanes’ official Web site.
Carolina tries to rebound at home, where it’s recorded 11 wins and one tie against Florida since a 2-0 defeat on Dec. 6, 2002. The Hurricanes have outscored the Panthers 38-21 during the 10-game home winning streak.
Carolina is 3-1-1 at home this season, while Florida is 2-5-0 on the road.
The Hurricanes’ Eric Staal had an assist in Wednesday’s loss, giving him three goals and four assists during a four-game points streak. Staal has never lost to the Panthers at home in his career, recording four goals and seven assists in 11 games.
Captain Rod Brind’Amour’s nine-game scoring streak – in which he had six goals and 10 assists – ended Wednesday, but has tallied seven goals and four assists during the Hurricanes’ home winning streak over them.
Goaltender Cam Ward had 28 saves last time out against Florida, but stopped just four shots in the third. He has allowed nine goals in losing his last two games after going 5-0-1 with a 1.81 goals-against average in his previous six. Ward is 1-0-1 with a 3.00 GAA in two career home starts against Florida.
The Panthers (6-7-0) defeated Buffalo 4-2 on Friday, breaking the game open by scoring three straight goals in a 5:02 span in the middle period. Florida has won two straight after losing four of its previous five.
"We won the game against Carolina and felt good, so we knew we could play a good game coming in here. It’s a huge win for us," said Florida’s Richard Zednik, who had two goals Friday after scoring the go-ahead goal against the Hurricanes Wednesday.
Olli Jokinen scored his sixth goal in the last five games and eighth overall in the win over the Sabres. Jokinen had a goal and two assists Wednesday, and has been outstanding against the Hurricanes lately, recording eight goals and 11 assists in nine games against them since the start of last season.
Tomas Vokoun, making his sixth straight start, had 26 saves against Buffalo. Vokoun, who is in his first season with the Panthers after spending his last eight seasons with Nashville, stopped 28 shots in Wednesday’s win over the Hurricanes, and is 5-1-1 with one tie and a 2.45 GAA lifetime against them.
Backup goalie Craig Anderson made a career-high 48 saves in his only game against Carolina, a 5-4 overtime loss on April 7 while with Chicago.
by: Staff Writers – Email Us
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