Carolina Hurricanes: Keys to Returning to Form Against Nashville

Mar 11, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Nashville Predators center Mikael Granlund (64) skates with the puck past Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Nashville Predators center Mikael Granlund (64) skates with the puck past Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 4, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) looks on during he game against the Dallas Stars at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) looks on during he game against the Dallas Stars at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

1. Mrazek Starts, Ned Backing Up

Petr Mrazek gets the call to the starter’s crease once again tonight as Alex Nedeljkovic will serve as his backup.

Mrazek has been stellar since his return from injury, despite dropping a loss to Detroit several days ago. So far this season, Mrazek has turned in a .943 SV%, 1.47 GAA, and a 4-1-1 win/loss record.

The Carolina Hurricanes have remained adamant that they’re rolling with a 3-goalie system for the remainder of the season. The past three starts have gone to both Mrazek and James Reimer, and Nedeljkovic finds himself on the outside of the starter’s crease yet again, oddly enough.

Ned has done more than enough to prove that he deserves starts over James Reimer, but it still remains to be seen if he will actually get those.

Nevertheless, Mrazek is starting tonight; look for a big game out of him and the defense in front of him to make up for the past two games of… well, let’s just say ‘lack of effort’ and leave it at that. Onward and upward!

Schedule