The Carolina Hurricanes will face the Florida Panthers on December 23 with several key players sidelined. Seth Jarvis, Jordan Martinook, and Jaccob Slavin will all miss the game due to injuries, as confirmed by head coach Rod Brind’Amour.
Jarvis and Slavin are listed as week-to-week with upper-body injuries. Martinook, who suffered a lower-body injury last Wednesday, is also ruled out for this matchup. William Carrier is uncertain, as he missed practice due to not feeling well and will be a game-time decision.
Joel Nystrom has been recalled from the Chicago Wolves to bolster the lineup alongside Alexander Nikishin. Frederik Andersen is set to start in goal, returning for the first time since early December, despite recent struggles with a record of 0-4-2 over six games.
Projected Forward Lines:
- Svechnikov – Aho – Blake
- Ehlers – Stankoven – Hall
- Carrier* – Staal – Robinson
- Kotkaniemi – Jankowski – Nadeau
Projected Defense Pairings:
- Miller – Walker
- Gostisbehere – Chatfield
- Nikishin – Nystrom
Reilly* (extra defenseman)
*Carrier is a game-time decision; team may proceed with 11 forwards if he doesn’t play.
The power play units are structured for optimal output. The first power play group includes Aho, Blake, Staal (or Ehlers), Svechnikov, and Gostisbehere. The second consists of Ehlers, Hall, Nadeau, Stankoven, and Nikishin.
Four key players remain injured: Jarvis and Slavin with upper-body issues, Martinook day-to-day, and Charles Alexis Legault sidelined long-term due to a hand injury. No scratches have been officially announced ahead of the game.
Despite Andersen’s recent performance dips, he expressed confidence in his game and readiness to rebound. The Hurricanes are expected to adjust lines and defensive pairings accordingly to compensate for absences, aiming to maintain competitiveness against the Panthers.
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