One week from now, the Carolina Hurricanes will be in Helsinki, Finland, getting ready to face the Seattle Kraken for the first of two games across the sea. While we're closer than we have been, the Canes still have two games left, beginning tonight on Long Island. For their final road contest before the journey, the visitors are looking to get back on track.
The Canes had their good time smashed in Nashville on Tuesday. The Predators seemed to have all of the right answers for what the Canes were trying to do. Filip Forsberg made two great passes to Nick Perbix and Roman Josi, giving Nashville a 2-0 lead in the second. Jackson Blake got the Canes on the board, but Adam Edstrom and Ross Colton finished it, handing the Canes a 4-1 loss.
Carolina swept their three meetings with the Islanders a year ago. They met on Halloween Eve in Raleigh, a decisive 6-2 victory for Carolina. They met twice in ten days at the end of the season, both ending in one-goal wins for the Canes. Seth Jarvis had two goals and an assist in Raleigh on April 4 before Mark Jankowski scored the winner in the third period of a 2-1 victory on Long Island.
Behind Enemy Lines: New York Islanders
Despite missing the playoffs a season ago, the Islanders didn't shake much up this offseason. They are relying on the team they've already built to get them back into the postseason. The only addition of note was Logan Stanley on defense, who joined the team right before the season began. Otherwise, it was pretty much status quo this summer on Long Island.
The Islanders are one of several teams stuck in the Metro logjam, sitting behind the Canes and the Devils, who have separated a little from the rest of the pack. Newly named captain Bo Horvat sits atop the team with seven goals and is tied for the lead with 14 points. Truthfully, it's an offense that hasn't been very impressive, falling 26th in goals and 25th in goals per game.
However, their defense has been their calling card for many years. This season has been no different. Ilya Sorokin is in the Top 10 in save percentage and GAA. Semyon Varlamov, after almost two years on the shelf, has been very solid in limited action. As a team, they're fifth in the league in goals allowed per game and on the penalty kill, making them a nightmare to play against on most nights.
Injury Report
Carolina: There appears to be a good chance that Taylor Hall returns to the lineup tonight, bringing him back after missing the entirety of the State Fair trip and the subsequent games, totaling nine games. Alexander Nikishin might also be close to playing, with tonight or Saturday being his last chances before Finland. Jordan Staal is also working back into the fold.
New York: The Islanders are very beat up, especially up front. Mathew Barzal is yet to play this season with a knee injury. Mattias Maccelli and Callum Ritchie are also out week-to-week. Barzal, Maccelli, and defenseman Ryan Pulock, who is out for two to four weeks, all skated in non-contact sweaters on Wednesday, and they won't play on Thursday. Alexander Romanov is out for the year.
Players to Watch
Matthew Schaefer: If you've never taken the time to watch Schaefer play, you're really missing out. He was the unanimous Calder Trophy winner last season, so we know that he's very good at hockey. Schaefer is tied for the team lead in points (14), and he's quickly growing into one of the league's many faces. He'll be on the ice a lot, and you'll know it because of how impactful he is.
Anthony Duclair: While he might not be the most impactful player on the roster, Duclair always seems to find something when he faces the Canes. In 24 meetings, Duclair has six goals and 16 points, among his most against any opponent during his career. After being shut out by the Oilers on Tuesday, this Islanders team should be very hungry.
Taylor Hall: I'm going out on a limb and saying that Hall will be back in the lineup tonight. I'm basing this on next to nothing, other than him skating as an extra before Tuesday's game. If he's good to go, it makes for an interesting alignment question. Does Hall return to the team's second line, or do they keep Ehlers on that line and move Hall down to the third line?
Shayne Gostisbehere: After a few scoreless games, Gostisbehere has three assists in the last two contests. He's been very streaky this season, going through short lulls before getting going again. He has formed a solid pair with Valimaki. They're both +8 since coming together, making it hard to split them. I could see him having a big night, at even strength and on the power play.
Add us as a preferred source on Google