The Carolina Hurricanes enter the final week before the Olympic break with an eight-game point streak. The Canes blew a multiple-goal lead for the second day in a row on Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings. After losing to the Capitals on Saturday after leading 3-0, Sebastian Aho kept it from happening again, guiding the team to a 3-2 overtime win after holding a 2-0 lead in the third.
The team is reverting to a tendency that cost them dearly late in December and early in January. While they've managed to salvage points in these situations, it's a concerning trend that needs to be snuffed out. Regardless, they emerged from their weekend back-to-back with three of a possible four points to extend their lead in the Metropolitan Division.
On the Other Side: Ottawa Senators
Last meeting: The Hurricanes visited Canada's capital on January 24, emerging victorious despite not playing their best game. They got a pair of early goals from William Carrier and Seth Jarvis, and they added another late in the opening frame from Taylor Hall. Andrei Svechnikov scored during a 5-on-3, and that would be more than enough. Brandon Bussi made 35 stops in a 4-1 triumph.
After losing to the Canes to open their four-game homestand, the Senators recovered to win the final three games, outscoring the Golden Knights, the Avalanche, and the Devils 16-4 during that span for a trio of regulation triumphs. It hasn't improved their standing in the Atlantic Division, with everyone else winning as well, but it has inched them closer to the cut line.
The team got a massive boost last week, with goaltender Linus Ullmark returning to the Senators after stepping away for a little over a month. He received an incredible ovation from the crowd on Saturday after stopping 26 shots in the group's 4-1 victory over New Jersey. He was in the net again on Monday in Pittsburgh, a 3-2 victory over the Penguins.
This is a weird scheduling stretch for the Senators, who're playing the second half of a back-to-back. After playing in Pittsburgh last night, they'll fly to Raleigh for tonight's contest before returning to the Northeast to meet the Flyers for their final game before the break on Thursday. The Canes need to capitalize on Ottawa's unfavorable travel schedule to finish at home the right way.
Senators to Watch
Brady Tkachuk: During their three-game win streak last week, Tkachuk was right in the thick of the scoring. He led the way with seven points after being kept off the scoresheet against the Canes. Always an agitator, he'll be more than happy to get in some scrums tonight. Tkachuk is over a point-per-game this season, but he has missed a lot of time.
Jake Sanderson: Since breaking into the league in 2022-23, Sanderson has steadily improved his offensive output. After recording 57 points last season, he's already up to 44 during this campaign, sitting third on the Senators in scoring and in the Top 10 for defensemen in the league. Sanderson made a great pass to create Ottawa's only goal when they met in January.
Hurricanes to Watch
Jordan Martinook: Sunday was not a banner day for Martinook. He took three minor penalties, including a scuffle with Corey Perry off the draw to start the second period, during which he couldn't get his gloves off. These types of games are rare for him, so he should be on the ball against the Senators to try and get another two points.
Frederik Andersen: In all likelihood, it'll be Andersen's turn in the rotation after Bussi played on Sunday, meaning this is his last start before representing Denmark at the Olympics. He has points in his last five starts (2-0-3), and his numbers are better than his season averages. For Denmark to have any hope in Italy, Andersen needs to be on the ball, and he's moving in the right direction.