RALEIGH, N.C. -- Either the Pittsburgh Penguins or Carolina Hurricanes will receive a much-needed get-well result Tuesday night when they meet at PNC Arena.
Beyond that, there are sizable differences in the situations facing the teams.
While the Penguins (36-14-8) have gone a couple of games without winning, they hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
The Hurricanes (24-23-8) are in a desperate mode, rapidly tumbling from close to playoff position to owning the fewest points in the conference.
It might take a significant winning streak to push the Hurricanes back into the playoff conversation.