Tonight's Anticipated Matchup: January 29 Against Utah
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes are gearing up for their matchup against the Utah Mammoth at the Lenovo Center this evening, and they are excited to announce the return of Shayne Gostisbehere to their defense line.
This seasoned defenseman has been sidelined for the past five games due to a persistent lower-body injury, which has now kept him off the ice for a total of 17 games this season. However, after participating in this morning's practice alongside Alexander Nikishin, it appears that the team's leading scorer among defensemen is ready to make his comeback.
In terms of goaltending, Brandon Bussi took the traditional starter's position during the morning skate, which suggests a shift from the recent pattern where he and Frederik Andersen were alternating starts. With a four-day break since their last game, a well-rested Bussi could potentially make history tonight by becoming the fastest goaltender in NHL history to achieve 20 career wins if he leads the team out for his 24th game.
Projected Lineup for Tonight’s Game:
Forwards
Svechnikov - Aho - Jarvis
Hall - Stankoven - Blake
Ehlers - Staal - Martinook
Carrier - Jankowski - Kotkaniemi
Defense
Slavin - Chatfield
Miller - Walker
Gostisbehere - Nikishin
Starting Goalie
Bussi
Injury Updates
Pyotr Kochetkov (Hip Surgery | "Likely Out For The Year" as of December 29)
Charles Alexis Legault (Hand Injury | Out 3-4 Months since November 11)
Noah Philp (Concussion Protocol | Skating Since January 23)
Eric Robinson (Upper-Body Injury | Out "For An Extended Period Of Time" as of January 21)
Healthy Scratches
Joel Nystrom
Mike Reilly
Power Play Units
PP1 : Aho, Ehlers (Staal), Jarvis, and Svechnikov with Gostisbehere
PP2 : Blake, Hall, Jankowski, and Stankoven with Nikishin
Jordan Staal has been taking faceoffs for the first power play unit. If he secures the win, he'll remain on the ice; however, when the puck leaves the zone, he will exit, allowing Nikolaj Ehlers to take his place.
(Note: Following the publication of this update, the Hurricanes assigned Joel Nystrom and Noah Philp to the AHL's Chicago Wolves.)
