Pittsburgh hosts Carolina in Metropolitan Division action

Carolina Hurricanes (17-12-3, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (14-13-3, seventh in the Metropolitan Division)

Pittsburgh; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Metropolitan Division opponents meet when the Pittsburgh Penguins play the Carolina Hurricanes.

Pittsburgh has a 14-13-3 record overall and a 2-3-2 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Penguins are 13-2-1 when scoring at least three goals.

Carolina has a 17-12-3 record overall and a 5-2-2 record in Metropolitan Division games. The Hurricanes have scored 105 total goals (3.3 per game) to rank sixth in league play.

Thursday's game is the second time these teams meet this season. The Hurricanes won the previous matchup 4-2.

TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has 18 goals and 15 assists for the Penguins. Jake Guentzel has scored seven goals with four assists over the last 10 games.

Martin Necas has nine goals and 14 assists for the Hurricanes. Michael Bunting has two goals and five assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 4-3-3, averaging 2.3 goals, 3.7 assists, 4.1 penalties and 10 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.

Hurricanes: 4-4-2, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.4 assists, 3.3 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

INJURIES: Penguins: Bryan Rust: out (upper body), Matt Nieto: out (undisclosed).

Hurricanes: Frederik Andersen: out (blood clotting).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.