Lenovo Center Arena | Carolina Hurricanes
Lenovo Center Arena | Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are set to face the Boston Bruins tonight at Lenovo Center, with a lineup that has brought them four consecutive victories. Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to start as goaltender for the second game in a row due to Frederik Andersen's lower-body injury. Kochetkov made a mistake in Vancouver on Monday but recovered to secure a win, stopping 24 of 27 shots and improving his record to 3-1.
Coach Rod Brind'Amour indicated that Andersen is considered week-to-week, which may allow Kochetkov multiple starts. Martin Necas, one of the team's standout skaters, leads with 11 points over eight games and aims to continue his point streak tonight. Sebastian Aho also enters the game with an impressive history against Boston, tallying 21 points in 19 career matchups.
The betting odds from Fanatics Sportsbook list the Hurricanes as favorites at -185. The projected lineup includes forwards Andrei Svechnikov, Aho, and Jack Roslovic on the top line; Eric Robinson, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Necas on the second; Jordan Martinook, Jordan Staal, and Seth Jarvis on the third; and William Carrier, Jack Drury, and Blake on the fourth line. Defense pairings feature Jaccob Slavin with Brent Burns; Dmitry Orlov with Jalen Chatfield; Shayne Gostisbehere with Walker.
Goaltenders include starter Kochetkov and backup Martin. Injuries affecting the team include Andersen (lower body), Jesper Fast (neck), who is out for the season, and Riley Stillman (lower body), who is practicing again.
Power play units will see Aho, Jarvis, Necas, Svechnikov with Gostisbehere on PP1; Blake, Drury, Kotkaniemi, Roslovic with Burns on PP2.
The game begins at 7:00 p.m., offering fans another opportunity to support their team as they aim for a fifth straight win.