Game #21 Preview: Hurricanes @ Stars

 

Hurricanes (15-4-1) @ Stars (10-7-2)
The Hurricanes come off a hard-fought loss at home to Washington to face the surging Dallas Stars. Who have won six of their last seven games. Led by the play of Jake Oettinger in the net, this is a Dallas team finding their stride heading into the month of December.

Previous Meeting
The last game between Dallas and Carolina was last season in the final stretch of the season. Carolina beat Dallas 5-1. Carolina was led by the play of Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Staal, both of whom had 3 points in the blowout win of Dallas.

Covid outbreak in Carolina affecting the lineup
This last week, the Hurricanes have had a covid outbreak through their team. Brett Pesce and Tony DeAngelo both are out for some time with covid. This means Carolina will be heavily reliant on Maxime Lajoie and Jalen Chatfield to step up in their place. Ethan Bear is still out with covid until at least December 2nd. Tonight will be a big challenge for the Canes without three of their right-handed defenseman in the lineup.

Penalties killing Carolina
Carolina has the 4th highest percentage of PIM taken in the NHL at 53.76% (via moneypuck.com). They have taken costly penalties throughout the season. One of these penalties was the Sebastian Aho slashing call that led to a 5 on 3 goal for Washington late in the 3rd period. Carolina is near or at the top of the NHL in minor penalties taken since Brind’Amour took over as head coach. The team’s aggressive style leads to this, however, that is not an excuse to take costly penalties that will lead to goals against. Carolina needs to clean this up if they want to be a true contender for the Cup.


Projected Lineup

Teravainen-Aho-Necas
Svechnikov-Trocheck-Jarvis
Niederreiter-Staal-Fast
Martinook-Kotkaniemi-Lorentz

Slavin-Cole
Skjei-Chatfield
Smith-Lajoie


Andersen

Raanta


Injuries/Covid: Ethan Bear (Covid), Brett Pesce (Covid), Tony DeAngelo (Covid)

Scratches: Stepan


What the Analytics Predict
MoneyPuck.com gives Carolina a 51.6% chance of winning tonight

Players to Watch
Jaccob Slavin will have to take on more defensive responsibility tonight than ever before with three starting defensemen out of the lineup. He usually shines through on defense, and he will need to at a high-level tonight. 


Roope Hintz leads the Dallas Stars in expected goals this season at 6.2 (via moneypuck.com). He will lead the charge for Dallas on offense tonight.

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