Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators: Game Preview and Discussion

The Hurricanes take on a Western Conference dynamo in the Nashville Predators for the first time this season in a Sunday afternoon matchup.

---

---

Game Notes

• Today’s game is the first of two regular season matchups between the teams this season (they also played once during the preseason). The Canes will visit the Music City on March 9th.
• The Canes are 8-2-1 in their last 11 games against Nashville. The Canes swept the season series at 2-0-0 last year.
• Petr Mrazek is 6-0-0 in his career against the Predators, including a .940 SV% and a 2.00 GAA. He is projected to get the start today in Raleigh.
• Justin Williams scored a goal vs. the Sabres on Friday that marked his fourth tally in as many games. He’s recorded a at least a point in six straight games (5g, 1a).
• Micheal Ferland set a career single game high with one goal and two assists on Friday night against Buffalo.
• This afternoon is the Canes’ annual Military Appreciation Day. The Canes will be honoring all branches of the armed forces throughout the game. More from the team:

The Hurricanes will wear special jerseys honoring the military during pregame warm-ups. Jerseys worn by Jaccob Slavin, Justin Faulk and Trevor van Riemsdyk will be auctioned off by the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation during the game and presented to the winning bidders by the players in a postgame meet and greet. The remaining jerseys will be auctioned off online, with all proceeds benefiting the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation.

New for this season, Hurricanes players will be wearing the logo of the 18th Airborne Corps on their helmets during Sunday’s game. Players, coaches, and front office staff will each receive a short bio and photo of a soldier from the 18th Airborne Corps who is stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. but currently serving overseas, in order to put faces to the names of servicemen and women who protect us.

Coinciding with this year’s Military Appreciation Game, the Hurricanes are hosting a Military Appreciation Drive through Sunday, Jan. 13. Donations of granola bars, chewing gum or beef jerky will be accepted at the VIP entrance of PNC Arena during normal business hours and at all entrances on Jan. 11 and Jan. 13 game days. Fans who donate one of the above items will be entered for a chance to win select prizes. All donations benefit the USO of North Carolina.

---

Lines And Rosters

Jordan Staal and Clark Bishop both skated at PNC Arena on Friday, but neither are expected to draw into the lineup tonight. Unless something changes this morning, we can expect business as usual in terms of skaters this afternoon with a switch to Petr Mrazek in net.

Brock McGinn - Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen

Micheal Ferland - Lucas Wallmark - Jordan Martinook

Andrei Svechnikov - Greg McKegg - Justin Williams

Warren Foegele - Victor Rask - Saku Maenalanen

Jaccob Slavin - Brett Pesce

Calvin de Haan - Justin Faulk

Trevor van Riemsdyk - Dougie Hamilton

Curtis McElhinney

Petr Mrazek

Scratches: Clark Bishop (lower body), Jordan Staal (upper body, IR)

---

And here’s what you can expect from Nashville.

Filip Forsberg - Ryan Johansen - Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala - Colton Sissons - Craig Smith

Calle Jarnkrok - Nick Bonino - Austin Watson

Ryan Hartman - Frederick Gaudreau - Rocco Grimaldi

Roman Josi - Ryan Ellis

Mattias Ekholm - P.K. Subban

Dan Hamhuis - Matt Irwin

Pekka Rinne

Juuse Saros