Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders: Lineups and Game Discussion

The Carolina Hurricanes return to home ice and will look to build on their historic 4-0 start as they take on a playoff foe from last season in the New York Islanders. The Isles will be looking for a measure of revenge for last Spring’s series sweep at the hands of the Canes, but they will also be looking to add some points to their season total. Last season, they were propelled by a hot start that catapulted them into playoff contention, but this season the Isles have begun with a slow 1-2 start, already six points behind Carolina in the early division standings.

Tonight will mark the NHL debut of 2016 first round pick Julien Gauthier. A difficult cut at the end of training camp, the 21-year-old winger will take the place of Jordan Martinook, who underwent successful core muscle surgery on Friday morning. (Don’t worry, though; Martinook will be watching tonight!)

With the addition, the Canes are expected to enter Friday’s tilt with the following lines:

Andrei Svechnikov - Jordan Staal - Brock McGinn
Nino Niederreiter - Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen
Ryan Dzingel - Erik Haula - Martin Necas
Warren Foegele - Lucas Wallmark - Julien Gauthier

Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Joel Edmundson - Brett Pesce
Jake Gardiner - Haydn Fleury

Petr Mrazek
James Reimer

The Islanders return to Raleigh for the first time since the Canes completed the postseason sweep that eliminated them in May. Barry Trotz continues to stress the structured defensive system that led to their success a season ago, but the fast start that led them to such overall success last year has eluded them through three contests this year.

Trotz and the Isles will look for their first divisional victory of the season with the following lineup, in what is also the first of a back-to-back for the boys from Long Island and/or Brooklyn:

Anders Lee - Mathew Barzal - Jordan Eberle
Josh Bailey - Brock Nelson - Michael Dal Colle
Anthony Beauvillier - Derick Brassard - Leo Komarov
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Devon Toews - Scott Mayfield
Nick Leddy - Noah Dobson

Semyon Varlamov
Thomas Greiss