Hurricanes at Coyotes and Checkers vs. Bruins: Lineups and Game Discussion

The Carolina Hurricanes embark on the first game of a four-game road trip with their only date in Glendale, Arizona against the Coyotes. In need of a solid performance after losing their last two at home, the Canes will hope to solve Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta, who has quickly become one of the top netminder’s across the league. Sebastian Aho will also be looking to continue his historic consecutive game points streak, currently at 12 games, as his profile continues to rise around the NHL. Friday also represents a homecoming for Jordan Martinook, who tallied 65 points in just over three seasons in the desert.

The Canes will be returning to Petr Mrazek in net on the front end of the back to back that will see the Canes head to Vegas after the game. In terms of lineup changes, Carolina is expected to roll out the same familiar groups as they look to unlock some production by building a bit of continuity. See below:

Warren Foegele - Jordan Staal - Justin Williams
Micheal Ferland - Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen
Jordan Martinook - Lucas Wallmark - Andrei Svechnikov
Brock McGinn - Nicolas Roy - Valentin Zykov

Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Calvin de Haan - Justin Faulk
Trevor van Riemsdyk - Brett Pesce

Petr Mrazek
Scott Darling

The Arizona Coyotes, perhaps in the midst of some of the best hockey they have played over the past few seasons, ride a four-game winning streak into Friday night’s tilt. During their streak, which began in Columbus on October 23rd, the Coyotes have punished their opponents by a combined score of 20-4. While the offensive performance has not been elite, as young phenom Clayton Keller leads the team in points with just eight, the league leaders in goal suppression (just 21 goals allowed in 11 games) have embraced their newly established brand of hockey with Raanta leading the way in net.

The Coyotes will seek to increase their offensive output with the following lines:

Richard Panik - Alex Galchenyuk - Clayton Keller
Brendan Perlini - Derek Stepan - Christian Fischer
Michael Grabner - Brad Richardson - Vinnie Hinostroza
Lawson Crouse - Dylan Strome - Nick Cousins

Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Jason Demers
Jordan Oesterle - Niklas Hjalmarsson
Alex Goligoski - Ilya Lybushkin

Antti Raanta
Darcy Kuemper

Charlotte Checkers Game Hub

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Checkers take on the Providence Bruins in the Queen City. Canes Country will have complete coverage including post game quotes and notes from players and coaches (and follow Justin on Twitter to follow along live). Ryan Donato was sent down by Boston yesterday and will be in the line-up tonight. Alex Nedeljkovic is the expected starter but lines have not yet been released.

Phil Di Giuseppe will put on a Checkers sweater for the first time since last season. He played 14 games with the team and recorded 12 points. Haydn Fleury was recalled by the Hurricanes so expect Jake Bean, who has played well as of late, to receive more minutes.