It'll be hard to top what the Carolina Hurricanes did last night against the Florida Panthers, but they'll try to put together another big effort against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. The Canes routed the Cats, 9-1, scoring four times on the power play and six times in the third period. Nikolaj Ehlers recorded a hat trick and an assist, while eight others had multiple points, tying a franchise record.
In their last two games, the Hurricanes have experienced different extremes. On Tuesday in St. Louis, the offense was kept in check by the Blues. Last night, the offense couldn't miss late in the game. Frankly, they could've had more if not for some early breakaway stops by Sergei Bobrovsky. While no one expects them to score nine goals every night, there is no room for a letdown in Newark.
On the Other Side: New Jersey Devils
Last meeting: Luke Hughes played a starring role when the Canes visited on January 4, and not in a good way. Less than a minute into the game, he put the puck into his own net. The Devils tied it on a Dawson Mercer goal, but Hughes was back at it in the second. Taylor Hall's pressure forced him to retreat before Hall poked it off his stick and into the net. Hall added an assist in a 3-1 Carolina win.
Times have been a bit tough for the New Jersey Devils. Their loss to the Canes began a four-game losing streak. The second of those four losses was a 9-0 thumping to the New York Islanders, setting several dubious records, including one of the worst goaltending performances of all time by Jacob Markstrom. They bounced back with wins over Minnesota and Seattle.
The organization made waves last weekend when they scratched former Hurricane Dougie Hamilton. His agent said the team is looking for a trade, bringing the Hurricanes into the equation as a "potential fit." Since returning to the lineup, he has three points in two games, but that doesn't seem to change the direction the team and Hamilton could be turning in.
Their offense hasn't turned the corner, and they suffered a big loss when Stefan Noesen opted for knee surgery, effectively ending his regular season. They still have plenty to worry about in leading scorers Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes, but the Canes' emphasis will be on keeping them quiet, as they did 13 days ago.
Devils to Watch
Luke Hughes: I highlighted him before the last meeting, and it went very well for the Hurricanes. The crowd in Newark let him know how they felt about his performance, too. Hughes has responded well to his bad night. He has five points in his last four games, including a pair of multi-point contests. I would like it if he could replicate his poor night from two weeks ago, but I won't hold my breath.
Arseny Gritsyuk: One of the few positive standouts for New Jersey when the Canes last visited, points haven't been flowing for Gritsyuk over the last month. His assist against the Canes was one of two points he has recorded since December 11. With secondary scoring becoming an issue for New Jersey, they need him to step up his game and produce a little more.
Hurricanes to Watch
Nikolaj Ehlers: The star of the night on Friday, Ehlers seems to be a lightning rod for whichever line he's put on. Last night, it was the Staal line. They were the team's best during the opening 20 minutes, scoring the first goal. Ehlers proceeded to score twice more and added an assist, notching his first hat trick and four-point night with the Hurricanes. I would like some more of that tonight, please.
Eric Robinson: By scoring the team's ninth goal last night, Robinson broke a ten-game drought with his tenth goal of the season. He became the ninth Hurricane to reach double digits. The fourth line has put together a few good games in a row. They'll need to keep this trend up to help the Canes finish the week on a high note.