Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators: Saturday Lineups and Game Discussion

The Carolina Hurricanes will wrap up a season-long eight-game homestand Saturday night against the Nashville Predators, looking to finish the long stay at PNC Arena with a second straight win over the Predators.

So far on the homestand the Canes are 4-2-1, and Saturday night they will look to make it 6-0-0 this season against Nashville. Last time out the Canes won 4-1, as Warren Foegele, Andrei Svechnikov, Vincent Trocheck and Sebastian Aho all found the net.

Alex Nedeljkovic will slot back into net for the Hurricanes Saturday night, as Carolina looks to continue gathering momentum heading into a big two-game set on the road against the Lightning next week.

Here’s how Rod Brind’Amour’s team will hit the ice:

Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Jesper Fast
Jordan Martinook - Vincent Trocheck - Martin Necas
Nino Niederreiter - Jordan Staal - Warren Foegele
Cedric Paquette - Steven Lorentz - Morgan Geekie

Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Brady Skjei - Brett Pesce
Jake Bean - Jani Hakanpaa

Alex Nedeljkovic
Petr Mrazek

Injuries and Scratches: James Reimer (healthy), Brock McGinn (upper body), Teuvo Teravainen (concussion symptoms, IR)
Taxi Squad: Jake Gardiner, Max McCormick, Joakim Ryan, Drew Shore

Even with their loss to the Hurricanes Tuesday night, the Predators come into Saturday night’s game as one of the hottest teams in the NHL.

Nashville has stormed into the Central Division’s fourth playoff spot, where they still sit four points clear of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Predators will look a little different Saturday than they did Thursday, as newly acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson will make his team debut. Center Matt Duchene is also expected to play, coming off the IR for his first game since March 4.

With Juuse Saros projected to be back in net again for Nashville (though not confirmed), here’s how the Predators will hit the ice Saturday night:

Rocco Grimaldi - Ryan Johansen - Viktor Arvidsson
Calle Jarnkrok - Mikael Granlund - Luke Kunin
Erik Haula - Matt Duchene - Nick Cousins
Yakov Trenin - Colton Sissons - Tanner Jeannot

Roman Josi - Matt Benning
Mattias Ekholm - Ryan Ellis
Ben Harpur - Erik Gudbranson

Juuse Saros
Pekka Rinne

Injuries and Scratches: Jeremy Davies (healthy), Luca Sbisa (upper body, IR), Brad Richardson (lower body, IR), Mark Borowiecki (upper body, IR), Filip Forsberg (upper body, IR), Alexandre Carrier (lower body, IR), Eeli Tolvanen (lower body), Dante Fabbro (upper body), Mathieu Olivier (lower body)
Taxi Squad: Rem Pitlick, Philip Tomasino, Michael McCarron, David Farrance, Tyler Lewington, Kasimir Kaskisuo