A Spooky Halloween Matchup as the Carolina Hurricanes Host Boston in Return Home

Tonight the Carolina Hurricanes return home after an extremely successful road trip that saw them go 5-1 starting in Pittsburgh and ending in Vancouver. The show returns to the Lenovo Center tonight for a spooky matchup with the Boston Bruins on Halloween. The Canes will look to stay hot and avoid the dreaded letdown when returning from a long road trip.

The one negative on the road trip was that goaltender, Frederik Andersen, suffered a lower-body injury and missed the final game in Vancouver. Spencer Martin will remain with the club for tonight's game to back up Pyotr Kochetkov.

The Canes will be home for the next four games, hosting the Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Penguins, and Washington Capitals. On the road again for the next three games, they will head West to face the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, and their first-ever trip to Utah to play the Utah Hockey Club.

The Bruins have not had a typical start for them and currently sit tied for last place in the Atlantic Division with 9 points in 10 games(4-5-1). Scoring 27 goals this season, they have the same amount as the Canes but with two more games played. With just one victory on the road this season, the Bruins are coming off a home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday by a score of 2-0.

David Pastrnak is off to a typical start in goal-scoring despite the team's struggles, leading the way with 6 goals and 8 points. Cole Koepke has been the next-best threat for the team with 3 goals and 7 points, but the captain, Brad Marchand has just one goal in the young season. Former Cane and newcomer to Boston, Elias Lindholm has 2 goals and 5 points in his new venture after a short stint in Vancouver.

Defense has been a small issue with the rough start but scoring from the blue line has been minimal as well. Mason Lohrei has 4 points to lead all defenseman while star, Charlie McAvoy has just 3 points and is a minus -2.

Goaltending has been mediocre this season and that could be because of Jeremy Swayman's contract dispute at the beginning of training camp. He has played in 7 games with a 2.97 GAA and a .900 save percentage. Swayman has three victories but is still working his way back into game shape. Joonas Korpisalo is a solid backup in the NHL and has provided some spark for the team but a 3.40 GAA leaves a lot to be desired.

Martin Necas will look to stay hot with 11 points this season, leading the Canes in scoring. Kochetkov needs to stay even-keeled this evening and put forth a steady outing for the Canes to grab the Halloween victory in front of the home crowd.