Nashville Predators (15-14-6, sixth in the Central Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (25-7-6, first in the Metropolitan Division)
Raleigh, North Carolina; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Nashville Predators take on the top-ranked team in the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes.
Carolina has a 12-3-1 record in home games and a 25-7-6 record overall. The Hurricanes have a +19 scoring differential, with 118 total goals scored and 99 allowed.
Nashville has gone 7-8-3 on the road and 15-14-6 overall. The Predators have a 6-5-5 record in games they have more penalties than their opponent.
Thursday's game is the first time these teams meet this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Sebastian Aho has 12 goals and 18 assists for the Hurricanes. Stefan Noesen has five goals and three assists over the past 10 games.
Filip Forsberg has 14 goals and 18 assists for the Predators. Roman Josi has scored three goals with six assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 9-1-0, averaging 3.9 goals, 6.4 assists, 4.4 penalties and 8.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
Predators: 4-3-3, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.8 assists, 3.9 penalties and 9.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
INJURIES: Hurricanes: Ondrej Kase: out (concussion), Frederik Andersen: out (undisclosed), Jake Gardiner: out (hip/back), Stefan Noesen: day to day (lower body), Max Pacioretty: out (achilles).
Predators: Mark Borowiecki: out (upper body), Cole Smith: day to day (upper-body), Matt Duchene: out (personal).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press