Following a brief stay at home after a six-game trip, the Carolina Hurricanes are back on the road for a quick two-game trip to the Northeast. They got back in the win column on Thursday night, blitzing the New York Islanders for three goals in the first 10:21 and adding three more in the third for a 6-2 victory at the Lenovo Center to close October.
The big question for the Hurricanes on Saturday will be Seth Jarvis's status ahead of the contest. He left on Thursday night after blocking a shot with his ankle, but he skated at the optional practice on Friday and wasn't ruled out, so that could be a positive sign. With Pyotr Kochetkov heading to Chicago for a conditioning stint, it feels pretty safe to assume that Frederik Andersen will start.
On the Other Side: Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins didn't just underperform last season. They were downright disappointing. After years of being a playoff lock, the Bruins finished dead last in the Atlantic Division with only 76 points, earning them the 7th pick in the draft. It led to the shocking decision to trade Brad Marchand at the trade deadline to the Florida Panthers, and we know how that ended.
While the team was disappointing, David Pastrnak remained the elite playmaker that he always has been. He led the team in scoring with 43 goals (5th in the NHL) and 106 points (T-3rd), which was 49 points more than the next closest player on the team. They didn't do much to address their issues, with Tanner Jeannot and Viktor Arvidsson being their biggest additions.
It appeared the Bruins of old were back when they started the season on a three-game winning streak. Then, they lost six straight to fall back to earth a little. They're on a good run right now, winning three of their last four, including their last two at home against the Islanders and the Sabres. Pastrnak continues to be their most important player, leading the team with 17 points.
Last season: Carolina won two of three, with the home team taking all three a year ago. The Canes scared the Bruins out of the building last Halloween with an 8-2 thumping. They earned a lucky break right before the trade deadline, literally winning the second game thanks to a broken stick. The Bruins returned the favor in Boston behind a three-goal, five-point performance from David Pastrnak in April.
Bruins to Watch
Morgan Geekie: While Pastrnak gets the headlines, the real story right now is the former Hurricane. Geekie inked a massive extension in the offseason, and he's repaying the Bruins handsomely. He leads the team in goals (9) and has found the back of the net in each of his last six games. Geekie had a great game in the final meeting last season, recording five points in Boston's win over the Canes.
Pavel Zacha: Along with Pastrnak and Geekie being on a roll to start the season, Zacha is sitting tied for second in points (11) and assists (9). With one season left on his contract after this year, Zacha will be a popular trade candidate if the Bruins' season goes haywire. He's been playing well this year, though he has slowed down a little over the last week.
Hurricanes to Watch
Jordan Martinook: Entering the week, Martinook had zero goals. Coming into Saturday's contest, he's on a two-game goal streak after finding the back of the net against both Vegas and New York. It wasn't long ago that Martinook was the hero of a game in Boston, scoring a breakaway goal with the moms in town to beat the Bruins.
Nikolaj Ehlers: With his first full month as a Hurricane behind him, Ehlers is firmly entrenched into this team. It took him a while to finally get on the scoresheet, but he has four assists in his last five games, including a beautiful one on Thursday to Logan Stankoven. He's still yet to find the back of the net, but it feels like only a matter of time before he does.