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| Martin Brodeur during pre-game skate - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC |
The Devils travel south with a 4-1 record in the their last five games - the most recent being a 4-3 shootout win over the Washington Capitals.
The Hurricanes brought their fans an early Christmas present during this challenging season with a 2-1 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators on Friday night.
Playing to a 2-1-2 record over their last five, Carolina looks to take keep their upbeat play under coach Kirk Muller going as the Devils come into town.
Special teams focus
The big differential for this game will key in on special teams as New Jersey will showcase the NHL's top-rated penalty-killing talent if and when they get the opportunity to.
The unfortunate combination for Carolina in this regard is that they are 0-9 on the power play during their past three games, so putting together an extra-man offense to score against starter Johan Hedberg and reliable PK scorers Zach Parise, rookie Adam Henrique along with veteran Patrik Elias, may be a tall order to make.
The Hurricanes enter tonight refreshed after a break with their families and are ready to get back at it after their win on Friday.
"Obviously it's nice to take a two-day break to not have to think about hockey, but at the same time you're feeling good out of the rink," Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen stated.
Against New Jersey, Jokinen pointed out that they will focus on reading and adjusting to how they defend them on the power play.
"Special teams is going to be big," Jokinen continued. "I think our power play has to be a little bit better - we are going in the right direction. We got some plays that we are confident that are going to work but we also have to play with our instincts."
On the other side of the dot, the Devils will counter with experience on their side with regard to defensive play.
"I think we've been pretty aggressive on the PK.," veteran Elias pointed out.
"We have a structure - a combination that we always keep but on the other hand we kind of work off of each other. It takes a lot of extra hard work and everybody's doing their job."
Considering that both Muller and assistant coach John MacLean, New Jersey's former head coach last year, possess playing and coaching knowledge within the New Jersey structure, it's not surprising to hear similar words from both sides regarding special teams play - structure, being accountable to one another, and working hard and with instinct.
How each fares against one another in their third of four meetings this season will provide for an entertaining game to watch.
It won't be a surprise if the winning goal by either team will be tallied on the power play or in a man-down situation.
Articles of note:
Carolina tops Ottawa 2-1 in overtime
John MacLean moving forward with career after dealing with firing by Devils a year ago
Hedberg to start in net tonight vs, Hurricanes; Tallinder “getting closer”
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