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Game Day Watch, 12/8: Carolina Hurricanes @ Los Angeles Kings

HOW TO WATCH

Game Time: 7:30 PM Pacific
TV: Fox Sports West, Fox Sports Carolina
Radio: KABC AM 790
Stream: Fox Sports Go (requires cable subscription)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

if you’re a Kings fan: It’s been an eternity (okay, four full days) since the Kings played a game of hockey. They had no practice on Monday or Tuesday, and should have plenty of energy. Can they turn it into a win? And more importantly, after giving up 3+ goals in the last three games, will the defense do their part?

if you’re a Hurricanes fan: Carolina has been very reminiscent of the 2014-15 Kings lately: winning the shot battle most nights, playing well, but simply not getting the wins that they’d expect to earn. Last night was a killer, as they led 5-3 with four minutes to go and lost in a shootout. Can they recover?

if you’re a hockey fan: Two analytics darlings face off! How fun! Plus, by the time the second period starts, every other game will be over.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

for the Kings: Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli has 21 shots in his last seven games, but he has nothing to show for it. The secondary scoring has been strong as of late, but Toffoli should be (and is) expected to be a source of goals.

for the Hurricanes: Teuvo Teravainen. I primarily put him here because I remember years of Blackhawks fans insisting he’d be better than Tyler Toffoli. But he also did have an eight-game point drought going until yesterday, when he scored twice.

LEAGUE/WORLDWIDE WATCH

  • The Vegas Golden Knights are again the Vegas _________ until further notice. [SB Nation]
  • Not so perfect anymore, are you, Patrice? [Stanley Cup of Chowder]
  • The winner of Karlsson vs. Burns? Karlsson, who got three points and became the Senators’ all-time leader in scoring for a defenseman. He’s 26. [Silver Seven Sens]/

WATCH THIS

The Hurricanes handed Anaheim their first non-regulation win of the entire season yesterday. AND they let Corey Perry score. Here’s how it happened:

Talking Points