Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers: Lineups and Game Discussion

On what will surely be an emotion-filled evening, the Carolina Hurricanes look to reset from Thursday’s home loss to the Flyers as they host the Florida Panthers, who will be trying to stretch their three-game win streak.

The Canes and Panthers square off for the second time this season. The Canes took the first game in Florida on Oct. 8 with a decisive 6-3 win and have won their last four matchups against the Panthers. The Panthers have started to heat up, 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and fresh off a come-from-behind 5-4 overtime win against Anaheim on Thursday evening.

Lest the Canes somehow still think they can rest on their laurels after giving up a two-goal lead Thursday night, the Panthers came back from a FOUR goal deficit to win their game on Thursday and became only the second team in NHL history to wipe out a four-goal deficit twice in the same season.

Neither team has announced roster changes for tonight’s contest, so projected lineups are based on Thursday’s games. Sergei Bobrovsky (9-4-4) has a pedestrian .866 save percentage this season, but don’t let that fool you, he has won each of his last three starts and hasn’t given up a goal in the third period in any of those games. The Panthers will play again Sunday so it’s likely that backup Sam Montembeault (3-1-0, .903) will be in the lineup for one of the games over the weekend.

Likewise, with the Canes facing off against Detroit tomorrow, it’s possible we may see James Reimer (3-4-0, .903) tonight and Petr Mrazek (10-4-1, .902) getting the start against his former team.

Andrei Svechnikov (six games!) and Joel Edmundson (five games!) will be looking to extend their point streaks.

Hockey Fights Cancer Night

Tonight is the Hurricanes’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night, helping to raise awareness and funds for one of hockey’s most important fights.

During warmups, Canes players will wear special jerseys featuring the names of over 400 individuals who have or are currently fighting cancer. Seven jerseys will be auctioned off during the game.

The Canes are also offering a special ticket package that includes a discounted game ticket, limited-edition Love Your Melon beanie, and a donation to pediatric cancer research.

Fans are invited to fill out “I Fight For” cards which will be shared in a feature during the second period. The Hurricanes Foundation is selling limited-edition Hockey Fights Cancer mystery pucks at their kiosk outside section 129.

There is no pregame show tonight on FSC on account of NCAA football, so do yourself a favor and watch these instead and be inspired. Who do you fight for?

Projected Lineups

Hurricanes

Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen
Ryan Dzingel - Jordan Staal - Warren Foegele
Nino Niederreiter - Lucas Wallmark - Martin Necas
Brock McGinn - Eetu Luostarinen - Jordan Martinook

Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Joel Edmundson - Brett Pesce
Jake Gardiner - Trevor van Riemsdyk

Petr Mrazek
James Reimer

Injuries and Scratches: Haydn Fleury (healthy), Erik Haula (knee)

Panthers

Jonathan Huberdeau - Aleksander Barkov - Evgenii Dadonov
Brian Boyle - Vincent Trocheck - Brett Connolly
Frank Vatrano - Denis Malgin - Mike Hoffman
Dominic Toninato - Noel Acciari - Colton Sceviour

Keith Yandle - Aaron Ekblad
Mark Pysyk - Anton Stralman
Mike Matheson - Josh Brown

Sergei Bobrovsky
Sam Montembeault

Injuries and Scratches: MacKenzie Weegar (upper-body), Jayce Hawryluk (upper-body)