Sometimes, you have to go back to where you started to understand where you are now. While the Carolina Hurricanes are two-time Stanley Cup champions, their first postseason run happened over an hour away from their eventual home. On Thursday night, the team is back in Greensboro for a preseason tilt with the Nashville Predators, and the nostalgia is coming with them.
With just two games remaining in the preseason, the Canes are still keeping things pretty young. There are a few players from the main roster slotting in, with the entire second line making its preseason debut. Pyotr Kochetkov will likely make his second start of the preseason after taking the loss against the Panthers in Sunrise over the weekend.
The Predators are bringing an eclectic group to Greensboro. Most of their heavy hitters, like Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros, won't make the trip, but there is plenty of power in the group. Former Hurricane Jack Drury will be among the Predators making the journey. Based on their roster, Justus Annunen seems to be the presumed starter for the contest.
Hurricanes to Watch
Jackson Blake: The rotation keeps spinning for the Canes' veterans, and it's the second line's turn to take the ice this time. Blake is beginning the first season of his eight-year extension after an incredible sophomore year, both during the regular season and the postseason. As one of the few roster players in the lineup, he should get a lot of ice time.
Logan Stankoven: In a similar boat as Blake, Stankoven is also at the start of an eight-year contract. He was incredible during his first full season with the team, especially during the postseason. Stankoven silenced many critics with his work as the Canes' second-line center, a position long thought to be a sore spot on the roster. There remains room to develop, and it continues tonight.
Felix Unger Sorum: There has been considerable talk about Nadeau over the last few days, given how well he has played thus far this preseason. Unger Sorum is not lighting up the scoresheet as much as his fellow winger, but he's playing just as well. He scored a beautiful goal in the shootout on Tuesday to finish the game, but a goal tonight could go a long way in helping his case.
Dominik Badinka: The defense remains relatively young tonight, with two experienced NHLers taking the ice for the Canes. I was very impressed by Badinka during the Prospect Showcase, and he picked up the opening goal in Sunday's loss to the Panthers. With seven defensemen named to the roster, he could be the healthy scratch on defense, but I'm curious to see how he fares in his second outing.
Ruslan Khazheyev: All indications are that Pyotr Kochetkov will start tonight's contest, and that makes perfect sense. Yet, given where this game is being played, I'm curious if Rod Brind'Amour will split this game between his goalies like he did on Tuesday. Khazheyev is very familiar with this building, so giving him a short tune-up before returning to Greensboro would be beneficial.
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