Having experienced defeat for the first time this season, the Carolina Hurricanes are looking to rebound. The Vegas Golden Knights handed them a 4-1 loss on Monday night in Vegas, bringing an end to their perfect road trip and start to their season. The top line connected for the only goal, with Sebastian Aho putting it in the back of the net to earn Nikolaj Ehlers his first point as a Hurricane.
Tonight, we're kicking it old school when the Hartford Whalers battle the Quebec Nordiques in a throwback to their rivalry throughout the '80s and '90s. The Avalanche were going to wear their throwback Quebec blues, so the Canes responded with their Whalers gear, which they brought with them and have been carrying around since the start of the trip.
On the Other Side: Colorado Avalanche
Last season was wild for the Colorado Avalanche. They were very streaky out of the gate, leading to a complete overhaul of the goalie position by early December. This helped stabilize that spot, but the Mikko Rantanen ordeal turned out to be a haunting one. The Avalanche secured their fourth straight 100-point season but were ousted by Rantanen and the Stars in seven games in the 1st round.
It wasn't the most active offseason for the Avalanche, who kept things close to the same. They traded Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus, while adding Brent Burns, bringing another familiar face to Denver for what could be his final run at the Stanley Cup. Otherwise, it's business as usual for one of the most exciting teams in the league.
Like the Canes, the Avalanche have gotten off to a hot start, sitting at 5-0-2, making them one of two teams without a regulation loss (Vegas). While their offense is clicking, the real story has been Scott Wedgewood, who has started all seven of their games with MacKenzie Blackwood on the shelf. He was just named the league's 3rd star of the week after allowing one goal in each start last week.
Last season: Each side defended home ice during their two meetings last season. The Canes led 2-0 and 3-2 in Denver last November before three goals in the final 4:11 of the second period helped the Avalanche jump ahead, 5-3, in an eventual 6-4 victory. The Canes responded with a 5-3 win in Raleigh a month later. Andrei Svechnikov recorded four points (1G, 3A) in the home win for the Canes.
Avalanche to Watch
Martin Necas: No team has been able to stop Necas, leading Colorado in assists (6) and points (11) while opening the season on a seven-game point streak. Rumors have been flying about whether he's willing to sign long-term in Denver and whether they can keep him with their cap constraints, but there is clearly chemistry between the former Hurricane and his new teammates.
Gabriel Landeskog: Before dressing for Opening Night a few weeks ago, the last regular-season game Landeskog played in was on March 10, 2022, in Raleigh, NC. The Canes won 2-0, and Landeskog was assessed a 10-minute misconduct in the final minute. While he's played in some postseason contests since then, it'll be good to see the Colorado captain back on the ice.
Hurricanes to Watch
Charles Alexis Legault: With Shayne Gostisbehere back in Raleigh for the remainder of the trip, Legault is almost certain to get at least two more games in the NHL. It was a quiet debut for the tall defender, recording two blocks and a hit in 12:30 on Monday in Vegas. Having a game under his belt, Legault should be a little more comfortable for his second contest.
Andrei Svechnikov: We're getting to the point where we should be concerned about how slowly Svechnikov is starting. He's the only regular in the lineup without a point this season after Ehlers got on the board in Vegas. He hasn't meshed on either line he's been placed on, and he hasn't been much of a physical presence either. Time is ticking for him to show signs of life.