Carolina is back in action tonight against New Jersey.
The Carolina Hurricanes seek to carry their momentum from last night’s third period across the Delaware River to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Tonight is a quintessential four-point game. The Canes lead the Metropolitan Division and hold a two-point lead over the Devils.
A Carolina win puts them four points ahead with three games in hand, while a New Jersey win brings them into a tie for first place in the division.
The Canes won the first game between these teams this season and have a 9-3 regular season record since 2021-22.
The Devils’ start to the year was average. A home overtime loss to the Islanders on October 25 put the team at 5-4-2 on the season.
Since that game, New Jersey has compiled a 7-3-0 record, and it has done so while spending a lot of time on the road. Tonight is just the third home game for New Jersey in the last ten games.
Before last season, the Devils were highly hyped, but the team fell flat on its face.
Goaltending was the Devils’ weak spot last season. Five different goalies saw action for the team, which ended the season with the fifth-worst goals allowed per game average in the NHL.
Jacob Markstrom was acquired in the offseason for defenceman Kevin Bahl and a first-round draft pick. Markstrom and veteran Jake Allen have combined for a 2.67 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. Their goals-against average is currently ranked seventh-best in the NHL.
After four days since their last game, expect Markstrom to make the start tonight. It will be his 500th game in the NHL.
Unlike last season, New Jersey is meeting the expectations set by themselves and the media.
The Devils had a tough schedule last week with a three-game road trip to Florida. The team played back-to-back games against the defending Stanley Cup champions on their home ice.
New Jersey dominated each game, winning 4-1 and 6-1.
The stars are pacing the team this season. Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes are producing more than a point per game, and Nico Hischier has 20 points in 21 games.
During the November 14 game, Bratt tallied a hat trick, and Hischier had three assists.
Over the past five games, Hughes has three goals and four assists.
The line of Hischier, Dawson Mercer, and Timo Meier have logged the most minutes together this season, and the trio has combined for five goals scored and just two allowed during five-on-five play.
Both Meier and Brett Pesce are listed as day-to-day, but both are expected in the lineup. For the longtime Hurricane Pesce, this will be his first game against his former team. He did not play during the first matchup this season in October.
If you closed your eyes and listened to last night’s telecast, you would be disappointed in Carolina’s play and how six straight playoff appearances and three divisional titles during that time span is a failure.
But enough about Eddie Olczyk being the worst hockey commentator; let’s move on to how the Hurricanes actually played.
There was a lull in the second period, but the third period was the epitome of Canes hockey.
Carolina scored three goals in the third, registering 17 shots while allowing just four.
Even though Martin Necas’s point streak ended last night, more history was made. Sebastian Aho’s goal a minute into the third period was the eventual game-winner. Aho now holds the franchise record for most game winning goals, passing Ron Francis in the record books.
The Canes had all four lines rolling, creating pressure and scoring chances. The hope is that their excellent third period carries over to tonight’s game.
As of writing, no starting goalie has been announced. With a back-to-back, expect Spencer Martin in the net.
Here’s how to check out the action:
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Location: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
- 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 -112; PL: CAR +1.5 -285