It has been a minute since we've seen the Carolina Hurricanes on the ice. On Saturday, the group didn't put its best foot forward, yet they left Canada's capital with a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. A big reason for that was Brandon Bussi, who made 35 saves and earned another meme-able moment with his reaction to keeping the Hockey Night in Canada towel post-game.
For their return game, the Canes will don the colors of the Hartford Whalers for the third time this season, and the first time against a team not named the Colorado Avalanche. They'll need a much better effort than they showed against the Senators. They took advantage of the chances Ottawa gave them to get the win. Hopefully, this four-day break was exactly what they needed.
On the Other Side: Utah Mammoth
After spending last season as the Utah Hockey Club, the team was officially branded the Mammoth this offseason, ushering in a new era for the Salt Lake City-based franchise. They are moving in the right direction, especially after competing until the end of last season for a playoff spot, ultimately falling short by seven points.
They're right back in the hunt this season, sitting in the first Wild Card spot out west as we approach the Olympic break. Despite ranking in the middle of the league in scoring, they've gotten excellent performances from Clayton Keller (team-leading 50 points) and Nick Schmaltz (19 goals, 47 points). The real surprise has been their defense, which is in the Top 10 in goal prevention.
The Mammoth are currently dealing with a pair of big injuries. Leading goal-scorer Dylan Guenther missed their game on Tuesday in Sunrise, and Logan Cooley hasn't played since early December. While Cooley is expected to be out until February, Guenther's status for tonight's game is to be determined.
Last season: The home team won both meetings a year ago. Utah used a flurry of goals in the third and a 49-save performance from Karel Vejmelka to win, 4-1, in Salt Lake City. The Canes responded by scoring a touchdown and kicking the extra point when Utah visited Raleigh. Seth Jarvis had two goals and two assists, and Sebastian Aho added a pair of goals and a helper in a 7-3 blowout victory.
Mammoth to Watch
JJ Peterka: This will be our first look at Peterka in Mammoth colors after his offseason acquisition from Buffalo. While the trade has benefitted both teams handsomely, Peterka was seen as the biggest piece in the deal. He has performed well in his first season out west, providing 18 goals and 34 points, though January has been a little slower for him.
Mikhail Sergachev: Over the last two seasons, Sergachev has become Utah's everyman, being deployed in every situation. He has thrived as the team's #1 defenseman. Sergachev averages almost four more minutes than anyone else on the team. He has four points during the first three stops on the Mammoth's four-game road trip, which ends tonight in Raleigh.
Hurricanes to Watch
Logan Stankoven: Since his five-game point streak earlier this month, Stankoven has just three points in his last seven contests. The Hurricanes might be inclined to hold pat and not upgrade at center, but it means that Stankoven needs to get back on the scoresheet more consistently. His face-off numbers are getting better, though.
Shayne Gostisbehere: After practicing on Wednesday, it appears that Gostisbehere will return to the lineup for the first time in two weeks. Injuries have hampered an otherwise great season for the Canes' defenseman, with this being the fourth time he has exited with an ailment. He had points in three of his last five games before this most recent departure.