The Carolina Hurricanes are set to complete their Western Conference road trip with a game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday, March 7. The Hurricanes have won their last two games and currently lead the Metropolitan Division with a record of 40-16-6.
In their most recent game, the Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-3. Nikolaj Ehlers scored his 20th goal of the season, Jackson Blake reached a career high by scoring his 18th and 19th goals, and K’Andre Miller contributed three assists. Goaltender Frederik Andersen recorded the win with 13 saves.
Earlier in the season series against Calgary, Brandon Bussi earned his first career shutout in a 1-0 overtime victory for Carolina at Lenovo Center.
Carolina’s offense has been productive during this road trip, totaling 13 goals over three games. Ehlers has led this effort with five goals in his last three appearances, including a hat trick against Vancouver and reaching at least 20 goals for the ninth time in eleven seasons.
However, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere left Friday’s game due to a lower-body injury. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the game that there was no update available regarding Gostisbehere’s status. If he is unable to play against Calgary, Mike Reilly is expected to join the lineup. Reilly last played on January 16 and has seven points along with a +9 rating in 29 games this season.
Brandon Bussi is anticipated to start as goaltender for Saturday’s match after Andersen played in Edmonton. In his previous outing on Wednesday in Vancouver, Bussi secured his ninth consecutive win and became the first NHL goalie since 1943-44 to achieve multiple nine-game winning streaks during his rookie season.
On Calgary’s side, recent roster changes included moving Nazem Kadri before the trade deadline and acquiring Ryan Strome among others. The Flames are currently experiencing a four-game losing streak and rank last in league scoring with an average of just over two goals per game. Mikael Backlund leads Calgary with 35 points while Matt Coronato has added another 30 points this season.
Goaltenders Dustin Wolf and Devin Cooley have shared duties for Calgary. Wolf is having difficulties following recognition as a Calder Trophy finalist last year; Cooley holds strong numbers but has played fewer games than Wolf.
For fans attending future home games when Carolina faces Pittsburgh on March 18, there will be promotional giveaways sponsored by UNC Health.
The Hurricanes play their home games at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina—a venue spanning more than 700,000 square feet that can seat up to 20,000 people and hosts over 150 events each year. The team contributes significantly to Raleigh’s economy through community engagement efforts valued at more than $200 million annually. Notable figures such as Eric Staal and Rod Brind’Amour have been honored by induction into the team’s Hall of Fame, which also recognizes their achievement of winning the Stanley Cup in 2006.
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