3/10 Game Thread: Colorado Avs @ Canes- 7PM Puck Drop

[Anybodyhome]

Raanta is starting in net tonight as Andersen is still not 100%. Lyon was an emergency call up this morning and either has to dress as the backup or be sent back to Chicago before the game if Andersen is the backup. I still contend he got beat up during the Washington game.

Last Time Out: Martin Necas broke an 18-game goal drought in the third period on Sunday, striking for the game-winner in what would be a 3-2 victory over Seattle. The power play scored twice to get the game to it's 2-2 juncture and when all was said and done, Antti Raanta made 28 stops on 30 shots for his second win in three days.

Saved The Best For Last: Entering tonight Colorado is the only team in the NHL that the Canes have not faced. It is the first of two meetings between the two sides this season, with the two getting together again in Denver on Saturday, April 16.

Home Cooking: The Canes have points in 11 straight home games, dating back to their win over Vancouver on January 15. It is currently the third-longest streak in franchise history and should they earn a point tonight, they'll move into a tie for second at 12 games.

In The Crease: Antti Raanta has started the team's two most recent games, with Frederik Andersen not being 100% and not dressing for Sunday's game. Alex Lyon was recalled under emergency conditions Saturday night, then reassigned Monday, but was then recalled under emergency conditions again Thursday morning.

Captain's Getting Hot: After starting the year with just two goals and eight assists in the team's first 36 games of the season, Jordan Staal now has five goals in his last eight games. Since the All-Star break he has ten points in 13 games.

Good As The Game Goes On: Martin Necas' third period game-winner on Sunday moved the team's goal differential to +29 in the final frame of regulation this year. With that being the best in the NHL, Carolina has outscored their opponents 68-39 in the last 20 minutes of games.

Production From The Blue Line: Colorado's 180 points from their defense this year rank tops among all NHL clubs. The Canes rank fourth with their 141.

A Look At The Other Side: Colorado will enter tonight wanting to get back on track after losing a three-goal lead Tuesday night in New Jersey. The Avs led 3-0 just 5:52 into the middle frame, but the Devils rattled off five in a row in response and eventually picked up the 5-3 victory.