The Canes will look to end 2024 on a high note.
What - Game 37 (22-13-1)
When - 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 31
Where - Nationwide Arena; Columbus, OH
How to Watch - FanDuel Sports Network South
The Carolina Hurricanes will be ending 2024 in Ohio as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (15-16-6) tonight.
The Canes are coming off of a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, a good bounce back after consecutive losses sandwiching the holiday break.
The Hurricanes need to get everybody clicking and Saturday was a good step back in that winning direction. It was also the most physical game they've had in years so perhaps that can be a good area to replicate.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to the Boston Bruins but had had points in four straight before that.
They've been one of the higher scoring 5v5 teams this season but they still do struggle a bit to defend them. Overall, Columbus is looking way better than they have in years though.
Streaks
- Jack Roslovic (3g, 3a) has points in four-game point streak.
- Brent Burns (1g, 2a) and Jackson Blake (1g, 1a) have points in back-to-back games.
Milestone Watch
- Andrei Svechnikov is one assist away from 200 career assists.
- Seth Jarvis is three assists away from 100 career assists.
- Rod Brind'Amour became the fastest head coach to 300 career wins in NHL history on Saturday.
Game Notes
- Carolina is 1-0-1 against the Blue Jackets this season having lost 5-4 in a shootout at Nationwide Arena on Nov. 23 and won 4-1 on Dec. 15 at Lenovo Center.
- Seth Jarvis is a point-per-game player against Columbus with 10 points in 10 games.
Key Matchups
Starting Goalies
- Pyotr Kochetkov: 14-7-0; 0.900 Sv%; 2.51 GAA
- Elvis Merzlikins: 11-9-3; 0.890 Sv%; 3.09 GAA
Leading Scorers
- Goals - Jack Roslovic (16) / Kirill Marchenko (14)
- Points - Martin Necas (44) / Kirill Marchenko (40)
Power Play
- Carolina - 25.7% (5th)
- Columbus - 21% (17th)
Penalty Kill
- Carolina - 85.7% (1st)
- Columbus - 75% (26th)
Hurricanes Projected Lineup
Jack Roslovic - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis
Andrei Svechnikov - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Martin Necas
Jordan Martinook - Jordan Staal - William Carrier
Eric Robinson - Tyson Jost - Jackson Blake
Jaccob Slavin - Brent Burn
Dmitry Orlov - Jalen Chatfield
Ty Smith - Sean Walker
Pyotr Kochetkov
Dustin Tokarski
Injuries and Scratches: Riley Stillman, Shayne Gostisbehere (UBI), Jack Drury (hand), Frederik Andersen (LBI), Jesper Fast (neck)
Blue Jackets Projected Lineup
Dmitri Voronkov - Sean Monahan - Kirill Marchenko
James van Riemsdyk - Adam Fantilli - Zach Aston-Reese
Kent Johnson - Cole Sillinger - Mathieu Olivier
Mikael Pyyhtia - Sean Kuraly
Zach Werenski - Dante Fabbro
Denton Mateychuk - Ivan Provorov
Jake Christiansen - Damon Severson
Jack Johnson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov
Injuries and Scratches: Jordan Harris, Kevin Labanc, Yegor Chinakhov (UBI), Boone Jenner (shoulder), Erik Gudbranson (shoulder), Justin Danforth (LBI)