The Carolina Hurricanes took on the Pittsburgh Penguins, the defending two-time Stanley Cup Champions and Metropolitan Division rival. Pittsburgh and Carolina both entered the contest with 41 points. Both teams were coming off a win as well.
Carolina took down the Montreal Canadies in the return from the holiday break, on Dec. 27, at PNC Arena. This was the third consecutive home game for the Canes, with the last two resulting in that win over the Canadiens and over the Buffalo Sabres.
Moreover, the Pens defeated another Metro foe in the Columbus Blue Jackets, in a comeback win in a shootout.