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The Carolina Hurricanes head out for a short two-game road trip as they continue their hot pursuit of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The trip is also the beginning of what the Canes are calling their “Mentor’s Trip” for 2019.
We'll have some special guests with the squad this week
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) February 21, 2019
The #Canes 2019 Mentors Trip has begun! pic.twitter.com/l4FeFjuIVs
The Canes have not released an official lineup, but it is expected to be the same as Tuesday night, like,y with Petr Mrazek in net. Carolina will be playing in the first of two contests in 10 days down in South Florida on Thursday, which represent an opportunity to create a little more separation from the Panthers who currently sit eight points behind the Canes in the standings.
Jordan Staal may make his return tonight, after missing 33 games with a concussion. He has yet to be activated from IR, but if he is we will update the roster to reflect his addition to the active roster. The Canes did not skate this morning, so any update will come after Rod Brind’Amour meets the media at 5:00.
Below is the projected lineup:
Nino Niederreiter - Sebastian Aho - Justin Williams
Micheal Ferland - Lucas Wallmark - Teuvo Teravainen
Andrei Svechnikov - Jordan Martinook - Brock McGinn
Warren Foegele - Greg McKegg - Saku Maenalanen
Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Brett Pesce - Justin Faulk
Calvin de Haan - Trevor van Riemsdyk
Petr Mrazek
Curtis McElhinney
Injuries and Scratches: Jordan Staal (IR upper body)
As the trade deadline approaches, the Panthers are attempting to claw their way back into the playoff picture. On a current three-game winning streak, they have taken down wildcard contenders in the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, and now set their sites on two points against the Hurricanes.
The driver behind the last two victories has been captain Aleksander Barkov, as he has poured in four goals (seven points total) in the past two wins against Eastern Conference foes. Along with his linemate Jonathan Huberdeau, the Panthers will hope to continue their offensive surge to climb back into contention.
“It doesn’t matter who we play, we have to win. We have to go on a streak if we want to get to the playoffs.” -Jonathan Huberdeau pic.twitter.com/IHvjevipyY
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) February 21, 2019
Below are the expected lines for the Panthers:
Jonathan Huberdeau - Aleksander Barkov - Frank Vatrano
Jayce Hawryluk - Vincent Trocheck - Evgenii Dadonov
Riley Sheahan - Derick Brassard - Mike Hoffman
Troy Brouwer - Henrik Borgstrom - Denis Malgin
Keith Yandle - Aaron Ekblad
Mark Pysyk - Mackenzie Weegar
Ian McCoshen - Josh Brown
James Reimer
Roberto Luongo