Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

The Carolina Hurricanes look to rebound from their loss against the Detroit Red Wings with a win tonight over the Nashville Predators. Nashville currently sits at the top of the Central Division after beating fellow former Metro team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, in their first two games.

This will be a fun one to monitor. In the last few years, the Canes and Preds have had a bit of a budding rivalry. There have been some very physical preseason games, but when you only play each other twice in the regular season it hasn't been able to fully bloom. This season will be a chance for the regional foes to fully explore their hatred.

Vital Statistics

Goaltender #1

Goaltender #2

Game Notes:

• Jordan Staal is still on the COVID protocol list and Morgan Geekie will likely continue in the third line center role until he is able to come back.
• Filip Forsberg is the leading goal scorer for the Predators. He has scored a goal in each game so far this season. He has scored at least 21 goals in each of his first six seasons and is still on schedule to score 56 this season. (Yes I know this is a small sample size but stat projection season is great.)
• Sebastian Aho is a great goal scorer. In his four seasons on average, it takes him 8.25 games before he gets his first goal, but he scores 24 or more goals a year. The Hurricanes need him to get going sooner rather than later this season with just 56 games and a team struggling to finish.
• The Canes have this game and one more road game against the Predators before six straight home games, with two games each against the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars.
• Andrei Svechnikov currently leads the Hurricanes in goals and points with two goals and three points. He is on pace for 56 goals and 84 points with no signs of slowing down. He speaks the same language as Rod Brind’Amour when it comes to winning games. It is all about the “compete” and “effort” levels.

Storm Advisory

• Keith Yandle went from healthy scratch to goal scorer last night. He scored his 100th goal and keeps his iron man streak alive. [ESPN]

• Jake Guentzel lifts the Pittsburgh Penguins past the Washington Capitals in a Sunday matinee. [Sportsnet]
• The Carolina Hurricanes finally waived Anton Forsberg, who was claimed by the Winnipeg Jets. [TSN]

• Some Central Division news, the Florida Panthers bested the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 5-2 last night. Stay up to date with our new rivals. [NBC Sports]