RALEIGH Mika Zibanejad Jersey , N.C. — Even with the recent struggles, there’s something to look forward to for the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.It’s a much-discussed “Whalers Night” when the Boston Bruins visit for the game at PNC Arena.The Hurricanes are recognizing their history.Article continues below ...For the first time since relocating to North Carolina in 1997, the team will wear retro Hartford Whalers jerseys. The vintage green sweaters will be part of the scene.“We practiced in the gear the other day and it kind of took me back, ‘What are we doing?'” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said.The game will include several Whalers-themed off-ice activities. Plus, former Whalers standout Mike Rogers will be honored during a ceremonial faceoff.The Hurricanes also will don the Whalers logo for its road game on March 5 in Boston.Despite the historical perspective, it’s still a chance for the Hurricanes to get going in the right direction in the final game of a five-game homestand.“I know it’s going to be pretty exciting for a lot of people,” Brind’Amour said of the Whalers memories. “Different, and I think that’s good. But it’s still another game.”It’s another one the Hurricanes desperately need to win. They’re 2-6-2 in their last 10 outings.The Bruins are feeling good after a 5-2 home victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday. It marked a tremendous return to action for veteran center Patrice Bergeron.He notched four points (two goals, two assists) in the game.“I’ve been missing it for so long,” said Bergeron, who missed the previous 16 games.Bergeron Womens Pavel Buchnevich Jersey , who’s in his 15th season, registered his 300th career goal in Saturday’s game.“I was trying to talk to the guys and be vocal that we have to enjoy it and go out there and just have fun,” Bergeron said.Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, whose team holds a three-game winning streak, will have to manage a tweaked lineup with Bergeron apparently going strong upon his return.“It’s more about it’s an opportunity for someone to get going offensively,” Cassidy said of updates to the line combinations.But with Bergeron back, it “makes us that much better,” the coach said. “We’ve been playing well lately without him, but he just gives an emotional boost. … It’s a guy that you can throw out there any time and you know he’s going to get the job done.”Plus, the Bruins don’t want to disrupt rhythm developed by some young players recently promoted. Winger Ryan Donato said he’s becoming more comfortable.“All those habits you get when you’re playing in every situation,” Donato said.After three consecutive starts for goalie Jaroslav Halak Vladislav Namestnikov Jersey , Cassidy indicated that it will be Tuukka Rask in the net against Carolina.In the last two games combined, Carolina has a total of 78 shots but only one goal.The Hurricanes used goalie Curtis McElhinney, who was coming off an injury and in game action for the first time since Dec. 5, in Saturday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. That figures they’ll turn to Petr Mrazek for Sunday’s game.Boston beat Carolina 3-2 on Oct. 30 in Raleigh. PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jack Johnson has spent nearly half his life tangling with Evgeni Malkin in front of the net in rinks all over the world. Bruising affairs that often left one or the other — and occasionally both — skating away in aggravation.The truce finally came this summer when Johnson joined Malkin and the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins after signing a five-year, $16.25 million deal. The move allowed Johnson to breathe a sigh of relief on many levels, not the least of which was the knowledge the 31-year-old defenseman wouldn’t have to crash into Malkin multiple times a year.When Johnson approached Malkin as training camp began, he discovered the feeling was mutual.“We gave each other a half hug and said ‘Alright, no more fighting, now we finally get to play with each other,'” Johnson said with a laugh on Wednesday as the Penguins prepared for their opener against Stanley Cup champion Washington on Thursday. “I said ‘Don’t worry, I’ll just pass you the puck.'”Don’t get Johnson wrong. He understands his job responsibilities extend far beyond finding a teammate on Pittsburgh’s star-laden roster streaking up the ice. The Penguins allowed the most goals of any playoff team last season Bobby Ryan Jersey , and their bid to win a third consecutive title ended in the second round of the playoffs against the Capitals.Johnson is well aware his top priority is to shore things up in front of the Pittsburgh goal before jumping in on the fun at the other end of the ice. He also is intent on not merely being a tag along for longtime friend Sidney Crosby — a former classmate at Shattuck-St. Mary’s boarding school in Minnesota — and company as the Penguins pursue their fourth Cup in a decade.“I want to be a contributor, I definitely don’t want to be a passenger,” Johnson said. “That’s definitely the biggest thing that’s in my head. I want to help these guys win another one.”The Penguins believe Johnson can do it in multiple ways. Though he has never been labeled a “defensive” defenseman, at 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds, he’s capable of clearing goaltender Matt Murray’s line of vision. Yet that’s not all he can do. While he’s never scored more than 42 points in a season or been named to the All-Star team during his 11-year career, he’s developed a reputation as a pro’s pro who can play all 200 feet.“I think he’s a pretty complete player,” Penguins star defenseman Kris Letang said. “He’s got good speed, good size and he doesn’t get enough credit for his skill. He’s really skilled guy. He sees the ice really well.”The beauty of Johnson’s new gig is that he might not have to. Given the talent in front of him, he know there’s going to be plenty of chances to pick up a cheap assist by flipping the puck 20 feet to Crosby, Malkin or some other guy in black and gold and let them do the rest of the work.“That’s one of the exciting things and fun things about playing with guys of this caliber,” Johnson said. “I’m sure there’ll be a point here or there I may get where I pretty much had nothing to do with play.”Johnson’s optimism plays in stark contrast to the end of his seven-year run in Columbus http://www.officialsenators.com/authentic-adidas-chris-wideman-jersey , when he asked for a trade in January then watched from the press box as a healthy scratch as the Blue Jackets lost to Washington in the opening round of the playoffs.That’s all behind him now. And there are worse places than Pittsburgh to kick start your career. The proof is a few stalls down in the Penguins dressing room. Justin Schultz arrived in Pittsburgh in 2016 after three-plus underwhelming seasons in Edmonton and played a vital role on consecutive Cup winners. Jamie Oleksiak flourished after the Stars sent him to the Penguins last December.“It’s a great place to play,” defenseman Brian Dumoulin said. “Obviously playing in the playoffs and winning helps so I think guys get some confidence coming here and it gets their game back on track.”Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan doesn’t expect Johnson’s transition to be seamless but also knows there’s no rush. The Penguins believe they have solid depth at the blue line. Johnson isn’t being called upon to be some sort of savior or give his game some sort of radical makeover to fit in.“I don’t think they’re trying to reinvent me in any way,” Johnson said. “They just ask me to be myself, come here and do what I do best.”He’s well aware the length of his contract raised some eyebrows. But he’s all in. His family bought a house not too far from the team’s training facility. He happily joined Crosby and others in some of the formally informal skates before training camp officially started. After more than a half decade clashing with Crosby, Malkin and company, he prefers his current view.“Pittsburgh was tough to play against, they have the championships to prove it,” he said. It’s nice to play with these guys instead of against him.”