The schedule really starts to heat up now as the Carolina Hurricanes (24-11-3) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (16-12-9) for a game tonight at PPG Paints Arena. Game time is 7 P.M.

This will complete the second half of a back-to-back situation for Carolina as they are coming off a 3-2 overtime win last night against the Rangers.

The Canes have opened up a five point lead in the Metropolitan Division and still hold a two point lead in the Eastern Conference over Detroit.

After finding out yesterday that goalie, Pyotr Kochetkov was scheduled for surgery and would probably be out the rest of the season, the Hurricanes look pretty smart for carrying three goalies on their roster.

Look for Fred Andersen (5-8-2) to be in net tonight for them. Andersen is still trying to regain the form that put him in the number one spot for goaltenders in Carolina for the past several seasons.

Carolina did not have a morning skate but I would look for similar lines that started the game yesterday.

Stankoven – Aho – Svechnikov

Blake – Kotkaniemi – Ehlers

Martinook – Staal – Carrier

Robinson – Jankowski – Hall

Coach Brind’Amour exchanged Stankoven with Robinson in the third period so that is a possibility going forward as well.

Gostisbehere missed last night’s game so it is an assumption he will miss tonight. The pairings would be –

The Hurricanes are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and are currently riding a two game win streak.

It has been confirmed that newly acquired, Stuart Skinner will be in net for the Penguins. Skinner’s record is 11-11-4, most of which has been earned with his former team, the Edmonton Oilers.

Sid Crosby leads his team with 20 goals and 39 points in the 37 games he has played.

Bryan Rust is next up with 32 points.

McGroarty – Kindel – Koivunen

Dewar – Lizotte – Acciari

The Penguins are 2-5-3 in their last 10 games and they are struggling to stay in the playoff picture.

Here’s how to check out the action:

Time: 7:00 PM
Location: PPG Paints Arena
TV: FanDuel Sports Network with Mike Maniscalco, play-by-play; Tripp Tracy, color analyst; Shane Willis, analyst; Hannah Yates, rinkside.
Radio: 99.9 The Fan FM