The Canes are back at it after a shutout win last night.
This week, the Carolina Hurricanes‘ headlines were concerning. Key players, including both goaltenders, suffered injuries.
Last night, Spencer Martin rose to the occasion and did so in a big way.
Martin earned his first career shutout Saturday night, and he had some big saves during the game, bailing out the defense several times.
However, there is not much time to celebrate as Carolina is back in action this afternoon against St. Louis.
While today’s game is the Canes’ second consecutive home game in as many days, it is a back-to-back road game for the Blues and the final stop on a three-game east coast swing.
St. Louis is sixth in the Central Division and sits three points outside the final Western Conference Wild Card spot.
St. Louis ended a four-game losing streak last night in Boston, earning the team’s first road win since October 24.
Jordan Kyrou is St. Louis’s leading scorer, tallying five goals and 10 assists this season. His six-game points streak ended last night, but Kyrou has had a productive November, notching one point in six of seven games this month.
After a slow start to the season, Blues captain Brayden Schenn is on a three-game points streak. He has nearly as many points in the past three games (4) as the first 15 games (5) this year.
Schenn has nine goals and 10 assists in 30 career games versus Carolina. He has six points in six games with St. Louis.
Pavel Buchnevich is tied for second on the Blues with 11 points. He was streaky in October, but is more consistent so far in November. Buchnevich has five points in seven games this month.
Buchnevich has scored two hat tricks against the Canes, one with the Blues and another as a member of the Rangers.
The Blues’ third line of Nathan Walker, Radek Faksa, and Alexey Toropchenko are the trio with the most goals as line combination this season.
Last night versus Boston, Faska had a goal and assists, Toropchenko had two helpers, and Walker had the game-tying goal in the third period that forced overtime.
With Jordan Binnington playing last night, expect to see Joel Hofer in the net this afternoon.
This pair of goalies have combined for a 3.39 goals against average and .886 save percentage this season.
The Blues find themselves 27th in goal differential (-15) and goals allowed per game (3.39).
The special teams have not helped their efforts. The power play ranks 28th in the NHL (14%), and the penalty kill is 22nd (77.6%).
Special keys are a key factor in this game, with both Carolina units ranking in the top ten in the league.
Despite all these stats, remember that St. Louis beat Carolina in their first meeting this season. In fact, the Blues have won two of the last three matchups and have five wins in their previous eight trips to Raleigh.
That loss in St. Louis sparked an eight-game win streak. Carolina has won 10 of 12 since that defeat.
Last night’s 4-0 win for the Hurricanes started and ended in the goalie’s crease.
Give it up for Spence pic.twitter.com/CTWHjlRsDa
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 17, 2024
The defense had some lapses during the game, but Martin was there to clean it all up.
Last night had the balanced scoring that makes this team dangerous. Carolina’s power play was humming, scoring on two of five attempts. Sebastian Aho scored his first goal since October 28, and Shayne Gostisbehere tallied an assist on each power play goal.
Jordan Martinook remains on fire. He has had six goals in the last six games, which is good for third-most on the team.
Jackson Blake’s power play marker last night moved him into second place among goals scored by rookies this season.
Oh, and Martin Necas’s assist last night improved his point streak to 12 games. This is the third-longest streak in franchise history since relocation.
As of writing, no starting goalie has been announced. Pyotr Kochetkov could make the start, but with last night’s shutout and three straight divisional games coming up, Martin could be in net tonight.
Tonight is the Hockey Fights Cancer awareness game. This is a special game for many fans.
From the Hurricanes:
Cancer awareness, research and support groups, including league Hockey Fights Cancer partners such as The V Foundation and American Cancer Society, will be on the Lenovo Center concourse to speak with fans and share their respective missions. Community partners will also be part of the pre-game Plaza Party. Hurricanes fans can complete “I Fight For” signs found along the concourse and there will be an in-game moment of recognition for cancer survivors, patients and individuals critical to the fight during Sunday’s game.
Here’s how to check out the action:
- Time: 5:00 PM ET
- Location: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network South with Mike Maniscalco, play-by-play; Tripp Tracy, color analyst; Hanna Yates, in-game reporter; Shane Willis, analyst.
- Radio: 99.9 The Fan
- Line: ML: CAR -325; PL: CAR -1.5 -118