Carolina Hurricanes at New York Islanders: Game Preview, Lineups and DiscussionThe NHL schedule always has strange quirks, but this might be among the weirdest: the New York Islanders opened their new arena on November 20, 2021. Five months later, in the final week of the regular season, the Carolina Hurricanes - a division rival! - become the last of the NHL’s other 31 teams to play a game at UBS Arena. The entire Western Conference played here before the Hurricanes did.
A win over the Islanders tonight won’t wrap up the division, but it would force the Rangers to run the table in their final three games (Hurricanes, Canadiens and Capitals, all at MSG) to prevent the Hurricanes from hanging a banner. Pyotr Kochetkov, you may have heard, posted a comeback win in his first NHL game yesterday. He’ll ride the bench this afternoon, with Antti Raanta making his first appearance against the Islanders this season. The Hurricanes have three chances to tie their franchise record for wins (52) and points (112) in a season, both set in the 2005-06 season.
45 Goaltender #2 Antti Raanta Jeremy Swayman 15-5-4 23-14-3 Save%. 912. 914 2. 41 Game Notes The Hurricanes and Islanders have split the first two games of the season series, both played in Raleigh. Most recently, the Hurricanes did a fantastic Carolina Panthers impersonation on Panthers Night two weeks ago, giving their fans hope with a late Vincent Trocheck goal before surrendering the game-winner to Kyle Palmieri with 14 seconds remaining. Speaking of pulling something out of nothing, the Hurricanes’ overtime winner in Newark yesterday dropped their magic number to win the Metropolitan Division down to four, helped by the Rangers’ loss to the Bruins.
Figure that one out. Vital Statistics Category Hurricanes Bruins Record 54-20-8 51-26-5 Goals/Game 3. 38 3. 08 Goals Against/Game 2. 44 2. 66 Shots/Game 34. 12 36. 12 Face Off Win% 53. 9% 54. 2% Power Play% (Rank) 22. 0% (13th) 21. 2% (15th) Penalty Kill% (Rank) 88. 0% (1st) 81. 3% (9th) ES Corsi For% 43. 86% 56. 14% ES PDO 113. 44 86. 56 PIM/Game 12:00 22:00 Goaltender #1 Frederik Andersen Linus Ullmark 35-14-3 26-10-2 Save%. 922. 917 GAA 2. 17 2.
The Islanders provide what could be inviting opposition, with the Canes’ loss two weeks ago snapping a five-game Carolina winning streak in the series. To record that win, though, they’ll have to overcome some struggles in the back half of back-to-backs. The Hurricanes are finishing their 14th and final set of games on consecutive days this season, and so far they’re 5-5-3 in the second game of a back-to-back. Projected Lines Teuvo Teravainen - Sebastian Aho - Seth JarvisAndrei Svechnikov - Vincent Trocheck - Martin NecasNino Niederreiter - Jordan Staal - Jesper FastJordan Martinook - Max Domi - Steven Lorentz Jaccob Slavin - Tony DeAngeloBrady Skjei - Brett PesceBrendan Smith - Ian Cole Antti RaantaPyotr Kochetkov Injuries and Scratches: Frederik Andersen (lower body), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (upper body), Ethan Bear (healthy), Derek Stepan (healthy) Islanders Anders Lee - Brock Nelson - Josh BaileyZach Parise - Mathew Bazal - Kyle PalmieriKieffer Bellows - Otto Koivula - Oliver WahlstromMatt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Ross Johnston Adam Pelech - Ryan PulockZdeno Chara - Noah DobsonSebastian Aho - Andy Greene Semyon VarlamovIlya Sorokin Injuries and Scratches: J.