Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

Coming off a pair of painful overtime losses to the Blue Jackets, the Hurricanes will look to get back in the win column, snap a three-game skid and get a measure of revenge.

The Hurricanes currently have a game in hand on both Florida teams, which Monday’s game represents with neither of those teams playing. With the Canes currently a point back of Florida for second and five back of Tampa Bay for the Central lead, this will be an important game.

Let’s take a look at how these two match up for game three:

Game Notes

• Dougie Hamilton has registered at least a point in 11 straight games, which ties Mark Howe for the franchise record for a point streak by a defenseman. He’ll be looking to set a new record tonight.
• If Hamilton scores the goal that was ultimately denied him in Saturday’s offsides review in overtime, it’ll be his 100th career tally.
• Martin Necas will play his 100th career NHL game tonight.
• While they’ve had three losses to Columbus this season, Carolina has largely been successful against its former Metropolitan rivals in recent memory, with a 16-8-7 record in the last 31 games against the Jackets.
• Alex Nedeljkovic is likely to start in net for the Hurricanes tonight. He made his first start of the season in Columbus on Feb. 8, making 19 saves in a 3-2 loss. The Ohio native also made his first career NHL appearance in Columbus in relief of Cam Ward during the 2016-17 season.

Storm Advisory

• Defenseman Ryan McDonagh left the Tampa Bay Lightning game yesterday with a lower-body injury. [Tampa Bay Lightning]
• Akil Thomas, Devante Smith-Pelly and Quinton Byfield form the first professional hockey’s all-black line since the 1940’s. [Sportsnet]

• The Washington Capitals have signed Trevor van Riemsdyk to a new two-year contract extension. [Washington Post]
• The Tampa Bay Lightning scored three goals in the third period to overcome the Florida Panthers. [Tampa Bay Times]

• Buffalo Sabres return to practice after they had their most recent game was postponed for COVID-19 protocol. [NHL.com]
• The latest trade buzz proposal article. This article mentions the Carolina Hurricanes twice with two interesting proposals. [$TheAthletic]

• Colorado Avalanche acquire Goaltender Jonas Johansson from the Buffalo Sabres. [ESPN]
• Marc-Andre Fleury is quietly putting together a career year in Vegas. His turnaround this season has been incredible. [NBC Sports]