The Carolina Hurricanes are set to face the New York Islanders for the first time this season on Thursday, October 30, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+/Hulu and can be heard on 99.9 The Fan and the Hurricanes App.
The Hurricanes enter the matchup with a record of 6-3-0, placing them tied for third in the Metropolitan Division with 12 points. Their most recent outing resulted in a 6-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, October 28. During that game, Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Martinook each scored their first goals of the season, while Logan Stankoven also contributed a goal. Goaltender Frederik Andersen made 29 saves.
However, Carolina suffered another setback as defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere sustained an injury during the loss. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour commented on Gostisbehere’s status: “not going to be [out just] day-to-day, I don’t think, but hopefully it’s not too long.” This adds to an already depleted defense corps missing Jaccob Slavin and K’Andre Miller due to injuries.
In response to these absences, players such as Sean Walker, Jalen Chatfield, Mike Reilly, and several rookies have taken on increased responsibilities. Alexander Nikishin led all skaters with over 27 minutes of ice time against Vegas and matched team highs in shots on goal (4), hits (3), and blocked shots (3). Other rookie defensemen including Domenick Fensore, Joel Nystrom, and Charles Alexis Legault have also stepped up amid injuries.
Sebastian Aho continues his strong start to the season by recording a point in each of Carolina’s nine games so far—a streak that is now third longest in franchise history behind Ron Francis’ run of eleven games (1984-85) and Aho’s own twelve-game streak from the start of the 2018-19 season. Aho has accumulated eleven points during this stretch.
In net for Thursday’s game could again be Frederik Andersen following his appearance against Vegas; however, Brind’Amour said after Wednesday’s practice: “We don’t want to overdo Freddie, but I think he’s had plenty of rest, so we may go back with him.” If not Andersen, Brandon Bussi could make his fourth NHL start after securing two wins earlier in the road trip before experiencing his first defeat last Saturday in Dallas. Pyotr Kochetkov remains close to returning from injury but has yet to play this season after being hurt prior to opening night; he practiced earlier this week.
The Islanders arrive in Raleigh holding a record of 4-4-1 (9 points), currently eighth in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off consecutive losses following a four-game win streak earlier this month and begin a back-to-back series that continues Friday in Washington D.C. Bo Horvat leads New York offensively with eleven points through nine games while rookie Matthew Schaefer has seven points over that span. Special teams have been challenging for New York as they rank near the bottom of league standings both on power play efficiency (15.6%) and penalty kill success rate (71%). David Rittich is expected to start in goal for New York tonight.
Additional injury updates include Eric Robinson (upper-body) and William Carrier (lower-body), both out long-term though neither requires surgery according to Brind’Amour; K’Andre Miller is nearing return; Jaccob Slavin remains sidelined; Pyotr Kochetkov was placed on injured reserve but returned to practice recently.
Following Thursday’s contest against New York at home—where Carolina will wear their red uniforms—the Hurricanes plan to practice Friday before traveling north for a Saturday afternoon matchup against Boston.
