The Carolina Hurricanes (22-9-2) are set to face the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers (18-13-2) on Friday night. The game will start at 7 P.M. and will be broadcast on the Fanduel Sports Network.
The Hurricanes are among the hottest teams in the league right now. They have won five straight games and hold an 8-2-0 record over their last 10, positioning them first in the Eastern Conference by four points.
Meanwhile, the Panthers have gained momentum after a slow start. They are riding a three-game winning streak and have posted a 6-3-1 record over their previous 10 contests.
A key player to watch is Carolina’s defenseman Jaccob Slavin, who returned recently but has been limited to about 15 minutes per game. His impact remains significant, and fans expect a similar role from him this Friday.
Alexander Nikishin is currently on a team-best four-game point streak, tallying one goal and three assists. His recent success on the powerplay has boosted Carolina’s offensive threat.
The Hurricanes’ lineup has a few uncertainties. Jordan Martinook left early in the last game due to an unknown ailment and will not play Friday. Kotkaniemi is expected to return, while the starting goaltender remains undecided between Brandon Bussi and Fred Andersen.
For Florida, key forwards Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk remain sidelined. Veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will start in net, posing a tough challenge for Carolina’s offense.
The Panthers’ projected lines include Luostarinen-Lundell-Reinhart on the top line and Forsling-Ekblad anchored on defense. This balanced roster has contributed to their recent success.
Carolina’s head coach Paul Maurice spoke in a pregame press conference, emphasizing the importance of focus and execution. Both teams will look to build momentum as the contest unfolds in the Sunshine State this Friday night.
Read more at: www.canescountry.com-
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