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Hurricanes open home swing against Canucks (Dec 13, 2016)
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Two teams anxious about going home will meet Tuesday night.
The Carolina Hurricanes will be back on home ice after a West Coast trip, while the Vancouver Canucks will be finishing what so far has been a frustrating stretch on the road.
"We've been a team that takes pride in playing well at home," Hurricanes right winger Lee Stempniak said. "We've got to come out and make hay when we can."
Carolina has returned from a three-game swing that produced a 1-1-1 record, yet there could have been much more.
The Hurricanes were engaged in a few high-scoring games, something out of character for the team.
"We're not used to playing those 4-3 games," defenseman Matt Tennyson said. "Maybe it threw off guys trying to do something else."
The Canucks are 1-3-0 as they complete a five-game road swing with the game at PNC Arena.
Vancouver was within a goal of the Washington Capitals in the third period of Sunday's 3-0 loss.
"On the road, I think that's a good position to be in," left winger Daniel Sedin said. "I think we are in every game."
Other than the one victory, the Canucks have been sluggish too often on the trip, particularly on power plays. That's a trend that coach Willie Desjardins would like to see reversed.
"If you look at the 5-on-5 play, we were pretty good," Desjardins said. "We just didn't find a way to score."
It has been a bit of the opposite at times in the past week for the Hurricanes, who excelled in some special team situations. Carolina coach Bill Peters said the Hurricanes need better play, particularly early in games, in 5-on-5 set-ups.
The Hurricanes held an 11-10 edge in goals in the past three games. That accounts for more goals than any three-game span of the season for Carolina, which had 11 total goals in its previous seven games before the outburst on the West Coast.
Now, it's a chance for a string of home games. Carolina plays five of its next six at home.
"It feels nice to be back in North Carolina and in our home rink and in front of our own fans," center Derek Ryan said. "We've been good there."
The Hurricanes could receive a boost with the potential return of center Jordan Staal, who has missed seven games because of a concussion. The team seemed to set up Staal's comeback by sending forward Phil Di Giuseppe to Charlotte of the American Hockey League on Monday.
The Canucks and Hurricanes are both near the bottom of their respective divisions, so it's time to make moves.
"We are not earning enough bounces," Vancouver goalie Jacob Markstrom said. "It's tough right now."
The Canucks have been shut out in three road games this season. Sedin said picking up the scoring pace takes a certain process.
"You can't just look for shots all the time, you've got to play the game," he said.
Vancouver produced a 4-3 overtime home victory against Carolina during the first week of the season in October. The Hurricanes failed to hold a three-goal lead in that game.
Tuesday's game will mark the only game in Raleigh for former Hurricanes center Brandon Sutter, who scored the winning goal in the first matchup of the season.
