Edmonton @ Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 20, 2019 ) Carolina 7, Edmonton 4

The Carolina Hurricanes have erupted for 41 goals over their last 10 contests (7-2-1) to remain in hot pursuit for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes, who began that stretch with a 7-4 victory in Edmonton on Jan. 20, look to keep their offense running on all cylinders on Friday when they open a three-game homestand versus the Oilers.

Carolina outscored its opponents 19-9 during its recent 4-1-0 trek to match the best five-game road trip in team history, highlighted by Teuvo Teravainen netting two of his club's four unanswered tallies in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Ottawa. "We've had some good last periods. We're trying to keep those good habits and keep believing in our game. We don't have to do anything special," said the 24-year-old Finn, who has 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in his last 10 contests to help the Hurricanes move within three points of Pittsburgh for the second wild card. Edmonton is trending in the opposite direction, as its setback to Carolina is part of a 1-6-2 skid that has featured coach Ken Hitchcock publicly questioning the resolve of the team. Leon Draisaitl tallied twice in the previous encounter with Carolina to ignite a run of nine goals in an eight-game stretch.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Edmonton), FS Carolinas

ABOUT THE OILERS (24-27-5): Captain Connor McDavid set up Draisaitl's team-leading 33rd goal in Wednesday's 3-1 setback to the Penguins to extend his point streak to eight games, which began with two assists in the first meeting with Carolina. The two-time reigning Art Ross Trophy recipient, however, was denied on a penalty shot attempt by the quick glove of Penguins goaltender Matt Murray that he believes changed the complexion of the contest. "It's a move I've been trying to do, but I think he knew I was going to do it. I've got to find something new," McDavid said.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (29-22-6): Like fellow countryman Teravainen, Sebastian Aho also had 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in his last 10 games to boost his team-leading totals in goals (24), assists (40) and points (64). The 21-year-old joined defenseman Jaccob Slavin in setting up three goals in the first encounter with Edmonton while Andrei Svechnikov (one goal, two assists) also had a three-point performance. Nino Niederreiter tallied twice against the Oilers in his second game since being acquired from Minnesota to ignite a 10-point run (six goals, four assists) in 10 contests.

OVERTIME

1. Edmonton RW Zack Kassian, who scored in the first meeting with Carolina, has 11 of his 14 points this season since Jan. 2.

2. Hurricanes C Jordan Staal returned to practice sporting a yellow no-contact jersey on Thursday after missing the past 23 games while dealing with concussion issues.

3. Oilers C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has six points (one goal, five assists) in his last five contests.

PREDICTION: Oilers 4, Hurricanes 3