Game #34 Preview: Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets

 

Hurricanes (24-7-2) vs Blue Jackets (16-17-1)

The last scheduled game for the Canes was canceled because of covid concerns with the Flyers. Their next game is now tonight against the Blue Jackets. Carolina’s last games were back to back at home against two of the best teams in the NHL (Florida and Calgary). Carolina won against Calgary but lost their last game against Florida in OT. Carolina looks to gain momentum heading into February with a win tonight. They will need to do it without star defenseman Jaccob Slavin, who got covid, and he is in quarantine for the next week.


Previous Meeting

The last game against Columbus and Carolina was on New Year’s Day. Carolina fell behind 4-0 to Columbus but scored seven unanswered to win 7-4 in a rousing victory. They were led by the play of Andrei Svechnikov and Brady Skjei. 


Carolina’s high goal differential

Carolina has the highest goal differential in the NHL at +42. This level of play is not sustainable for an entire season, but if Carolina’s 5v5 expected goal differential is subtracted from their actual goal differential, Carolina would still be a +25 in the goal differential department. This Carolina team may be getting great goaltending to hide some defensive deficiencies, but they are one of the premier teams in the NHL. 


Offense from the blueline

Carolina has gotten 85 points from defensemen this season in 33 games. Leading to an average of 2.5 points from defenseman per game. Carolina’s blueline production was a point of concern for the Hurricanes after losing Dougie Hamilton in the offseason. But led by the offense of Tony DeAngelo they have not lost any production from last season. 


Projected Lines

Teravainen-Aho-Jarvis

Svechnikov-Trocheck-Fast

Niederreiter-Staal-Necas

Lorentz-Kotkaniemi-Stepan


Skjei-DeAngelo

Cole-Pesce

Smith-Bear


Andersen

LaFontaine


Covid: Jaccob Slavin

Injuries: Anti Raanta (Upper Body)



What the Analytics Predict

MoneyPuck.com gives Carolina a 71.9% chance of winning tonight.

Players to Watch

The Hurricanes will be without their #1 defenseman tonight. Tony DeAngelo will have to pick up his play in the absence of Jaccob Slavin. DeAngelo has proven that he can play at a high level, he will be key for Carolina’s success tonight.


Oliver Bjorkstrand has been one of the most underrated players in the NHL his entire career. He is Columbus’ most dangerous forward. He will be the player that gives Carolina the most trouble tonight.

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