The Carolina Hurricanes are set to play the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 4. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. ET puck drop and will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Fans can also listen to the game on 99.9 The Fan or via the Hurricanes App.
Both teams currently hold 14 points and are tied for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes have a record of 7-4-0 following a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, November 1, where Alexander Nikishin scored their only goal late in the game. Goaltender Frederik Andersen made 20 saves but took the loss.
During that game, head coach Rod Brind’Amour made significant changes to his forward lines for the first time this season. At Monday’s practice, these new combinations remained in place, suggesting they may continue into tonight’s matchup. Sebastian Aho was skating with Taylor Hall and Andrei Svechnikov; Nikolaj Ehlers played alongside Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake; Seth Jarvis was paired with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook; while Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Mark Jankowski, and Bradly Nadeau formed another line.
In terms of goaltending options, Pyotr Kochetkov has returned from a conditioning stint with Chicago (AHL), giving Carolina three choices in net along with Andersen and Brandon Bussi. Brind’Amour commented after Monday’s practice that “the team feels good with their current three options,” indicating all three goalies could remain on the roster for now.
On the Rangers’ side, they return home after winning three out of four games during a Western Canada trip. Will Cuylle led their offense with five points on that trip, including an overtime winner against Seattle last Saturday. Goalie Igor Shesterkin has won his last two starts.
Regarding injuries for Carolina, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere left the October 28 game due to a lower-body injury unrelated to his previous absence. Brind’Amour said on October 29 that Gostisbehere is “not going to be [out just] day-to-day, I don’t think, but hopefully it’s not too long.” Forward Eric Robinson suffered an upper-body injury on October 23; Brind’Amour stated on October 27 that Robinson does not need surgery but “will still be out for ‘a long time.'” William Carrier also remains sidelined with a lower-body injury from October 23 but has resumed skating as of November 3.
Defenseman K’Andre Miller is close to returning from a lower-body injury after skating during recent ice sessions for injured players. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin continues his recovery from a lower-body injury and remains out as of late October.
For Tuesday’s contest at Madison Square Garden, Carolina will wear its white uniforms.
After facing the Rangers, the Hurricanes plan to practice Wednesday in Raleigh before hosting the Minnesota Wild at Lenovo Center on Thursday as part of their regular schedule.
