Rachel Barkley
Just ten games remain for the Carolina Hurricanes in the regular season as they face the New Jersey Devils for a Saturday evening game to open the first half of a back-to-back home set.
The game is scheduled for 5:00 PM EDT.
In the Hurricanes’ last game, they ran into a buzzsaw of a goaltender in the Montreal Canadiens’ Jakub Dobes. Despite sustaining pressure and creating nearly 30 quality scoring chances on 44 shots on goal, the Hurricanes were only able to score two goals, and they were defeated 5-2. It was the most single-game saves Dobes had made in his NHL career. You can read the full analysis on that whole fiasco here.
Meanwhile, the Devils will be coming into Carolina on a two-game win streak. It will be their fourth and final meeting with the Hurricanes this season, a series that has seen the Hurricanes win all three thus far, with the latest including a natural hat-trick from Andrei Svechnikov.
In the Crease
During practice Friday, Brandon Bussi had the starters’ crease and will likely get the start. In his career, he has only played one game against the Devils. In that game, he helped lift the Hurricanes to a 3-1 win. Bussi’s save percentage is .894, with a goals against average of 2.47 across a 26-6-1 record.
Meanwhile, Jacob Markstrom will likely get the start for the Devils. His save percentage this season is .884, with a goals against average of 3.07 across a 22-16-1 record.
Expected Carolina Hurricanes Lines
Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake
Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook
William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson
Defense
Jaccob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere – Alexander Nikishin
Goaltenders
Brandon Bussi / Frederik Andersen
Expected New Jersey Devils Lines
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer
Jesper Bratt – Jack Hughes – Connor Brown
Evgenii Dadonov – Cody Glass – Lenni Hameenaho
Paul Cotter – Nick Bjugstad – Maxim Tsyplakov
Defense
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes – Johnathan Kovacevic
Brenden Dillon – Simon Nemec
Goaltenders
Jacob Markstrom / Jake Allen
Special Teams
Carolina Hurricanes power play: 23.3% (10th, moved down one spot from previous game)
Carolina Hurricanes penalty kill: 80.0% (14th, moved up one spot from previous game)
New Jersey Devils power play: 22.4% (13th)
New Jersey Devils penalty kill: 80.1% (13th)
Hurricanes Game Notes
During practice Friday, Shayne Gostisbehere returned to the ice, forgoing non-contact gear for the standard. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour didn’t get into specifics when speaking with the media, but seemed hopeful.
If Gostisbehere does not play against the Devils, Mike Reilly will likely play again in his stead.
After Saturday’s 5 PM game, the Hurricanes will have to turn right back around and play the Canadiens yet again just 24 hours later in a back-to-back home set.
How To Watch
TV: FanDuel Sports Network South
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: 99.9 The Fan
