Preview: Hurricanes at Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS - It's the big game before the big game as the Carolina Hurricanes face off with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first half of a back-to-back set.

The Match-Up

Carolina Hurricanes (6-2-0, 12 points) at Columbus Blue Jackets (5-4-3, 13 points)
Sunday, Feb. 7, 3 p.m.
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PROJECTED LINEUP

Tracking the Storylines

Fast Set to Return to the Lineup: After landing on the COVID-19 Protocol list two weeks ago, Jesper Fast is now ready to jump back into game action. Fast practiced with the Canes on Saturday in Raleigh and skated on a line with Jordan Martinook and Morgan Geekie.
"A little boring to be locked inside for two weeks, but I'm happy to be out now, and I'm feeling good," Fast said after practice. "Watching the team play has been a joy. They definitely brought a smile to my face, except last game."

Join the Nedvolution: Alex Nedeljkovic is could make his first start of the season in this series. A native of Parma, Ohio, Nedeljkovic made his NHL debut on Jan. 17, 2017, in Columbus, a relief appearance in which he made 17 saves on 17 shots. His first NHL start came a year later on Jan. 23, 2018, in Vancouver, when he turned aside 24 of 26 shots in his first victory. He appeared in four games last season just prior to the pause and is 2-2-1 in his career.
"It'd be awesome if the fans were there and I could have some family down. It would obviously be a lot more special. But any time you can play close to home, it's something cool," he said. "I grew up watching those guys. It will be a fun time if I can get in one."

The Opposition

2019-20 record: 33-22-15, 81 points (.579 points %), 6th in Metropolitan Division
CAR vs. CBJ in 2019-20: 0-2-1
2019-20 leading scorer: Pierre-Luc Dubois, 49 points (18g, 31a) in 70 games
Key additions: Patrik Laine (RW), Jack Roslovic (C), Max Domi (C), Mikko Koivu (C)
Key subtractions: Pierre-Luc Dubois (LW), Josh Anderson (RW), Alexander Wennberg (C)
The Blue Jackets made a trade splash early in the season when they dealt Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic. Laine scored his first goal with Columbus on Feb. 4 against Dallas. Roslovic also scored his first with the Jackets on Feb. 4, while he's added another three assists in his last three games.
Columbus, the only other Metropolitan Division team joining Carolina in the new-look Central, has split each of its last two-game series and sits at 5-4-3 on the season.

Worth a Click

News
CanesCast
Videos
- In the Room: Fast, Feb. 6 - In the Room: Nedeljkovic, Feb. 6 - In the Room: Brind'Amour, Feb. 6 - Highlights: CHI 6, CAR 4 - Postgame Quotes: Feb. 4 at CHI