It might've only been one game, but November is looking pretty good for the Carolina Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov has already set two franchise records. The team has won 12 of its last 14 games. Everyone on the team is contributing to their success. They have a very exciting trip to look forward to. It's hard not to be ecstatic about the current state of the Hurricanes.
The Canes did everything right against the Jets on Sunday. Sean Walker scored a short-handed goal to start the party. Juuso Valimaki, Sebastian Aho (PP), Walker again, and Logan Stankoven scored in the first half of the second period to chase Stuart Skinner. Mark Jankowski (PP) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi added on in the third. Kochetkov stopped 26 shots, earning his tenth win in a 7-0 shutout.
Meeting 11 days apart last December, the Hurricanes swept the Predators, winning both games by three goals. Jackson Blake was especially good. In Raleigh, Blake (2 goals, 1 assist) and Nikolaj Ehlers (1 goal, 2 assists) recorded three-point nights in a 6-3 victory. In Nashville, Blake added two more points to go with Aho's three-point performance, completing the sweep with a 4-1 triumph.
Behind Enemy Lines: Nashville Predators
Since taking over as their General Manager in June, Chris McFarland has been very busy on the trade market. In just a few short months, McFarland has brought in Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Adam Edstrom, Nils Hoglander, Mavrik Bourque, Jayden Struble, and, on Sunday, Shane Wright. Luke Evangelista is the only trade that has seen them sell. Otherwise, they've bought quite a bit.
The results on the ice are still pretty mixed. On one hand, the Predators have won just five times in 14 games this season. On the other hand, the Predators have points in ten of their 14 contests. Nashville has left a lot of points on the table. They've yet to win an overtime decision, and they've dropped three of their four shootout finishes. They also haven't won consecutive games this season.
A quartet of veterans is leading the charge for the Predators thus far. Filip Forsberg (32 years old), Steven Stamkos (36), Ryan O'Reilly (35), and captain Roman Josi (36) are the team's top four scorers, all recording at least 15 points, which is nine more than anyone else on the roster. Something is clearly working for them. Both of their special teams are in the Top 5 in the league.
Injury Report
Carolina: Taylor Hall's status remains a slight mystery, though it was good to see him working on the ice before Sunday's contest. I still don't think he's ready to return from his upper-body injury just yet. Alexander Nikishin continues to work as an extra as he gets back to game shape. Jordan Staal was also back on the ice, with his return expected later this month or in December.
Nashville: The Predators head into this game pretty healthy. The only player on their injury report is defenseman William Trudeau, who suffered an upper-body injury in early October. He's expected to return sometime in November.
Players to Watch
Filip Forsberg: Entering tonight on a four-game multiple-point streak, Forsberg is about as hot as it gets for the Predators right now. He has four goals and nine points over the last four contests. moving into the team lead with 17 points. He played well against the Canes last season, scoring twice and adding an assist, and he has 21 points in 26 career meetings.
Shane Wright: A change of scenery is needed for some young players. After a few embattled seasons with the Seattle Kraken, the former 4th overall pick is heading to Nashville. Wright will get a chance to shine in the Predators' system. Wright had just three goals and one assist in 14 games in Seattle, so Tuesday should feel like a breath of fresh air for him.
Logan Stankoven: Notching his team-leading tenth goal on Sunday, Stankoven was the first Hurricane to hit double digits in goals. He finished with three points in the game, his third three-point contest of the season, bringing him to 15 on the year. Tonight, he'll play in his 200th NHL game on Broadway. He's been feeling it lately, recording six goals and nine points in his last six contests.
Sean Walker: In front of his daughter, who was attending her first NHL game ever, Walker scored twice against the Jets on Sunday afternoon. There's certainly an argument for her to attend every game, but that seems unlikely. We'll see if this scoring touch continues on the road. Last November, Walker went on a nice scoring run. It feels like he has another one in him this year.
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