Preseason Preview: September 28 vs. Nashville

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators meet for the first of two times in six days on Sunday at Lenovo Center.

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When: Sunday, Sept. 28

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: Hurricanes.com | (Please note that the web stream will be geo-restricted to those in the Raleigh and Nashville broadcast markets.)

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Last Game...

• After falling behind early in Tampa on Friday, a young Canes roster made it interesting with a four-goal third period. Unfortunately, the Lightning kept pace in the scoring frenzy, holding on for a 6-5 final.
• Bradly Nadeau (1G, 1A), Joel Nystrom (2A), Justin Robidas (2A), and Givani Smith (1G, 1A) all had multi-point nights.

Veteran Rule...

• As a reminder, NHL teams must dress at least eight “veterans” in each preseason contest. “Veterans” are skaters who played 30 NHL games the previous season, goalies who dressed in 50 NHL games or played in 30 NHL games the previous year, any player who has played 100+ NHL games, or a current year first-round pick.

First Timers...

• Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook, and Sean Walker are all set to play in their first exhibition game of the campaign tonight.
• Staal enters his eighth season wearing the "C" for the team, Martinook will look to build off of a year in which he set a career-high in points (36), and Walker will play in game action for the first time since suffering an injury during the Eastern Conference Final.

Another Opportunity Awaits...

• Forwards Kevin Labanc and Bradly Nadeau are set to skate in their fourth game of the preseason tonight.
• The only two skaters on the roster to play in each exhibition contest thus far, Labanc, in camp on a professional tryout (PTO), has recorded an assist in all three outings to this point.
• For Nadeau, it's clear that the organization wants to see the 2023 first-rounder in as many game situations as possible as he enters his second pro season. After becoming the fifth U20 player in AHL history to score 30+ goals last season, Nadeau is knocking on the NHL door and will look to make the most of his next opportunity this evening.

In Net...

• Tonight will feature one or both of Cayden Primeau and Nikita Quapp between the pipes for Carolina. Both players signed with the team over the summer, with Quapp inking a deal in May and Primeau signing in July after being acquired via trade on June 30.
• Primeau will look to follow up what was a fine preseason debut for him on Monday night. Although he took a tough luck loss, Rod Brind'Amour thought he was "solid" as he stopped 18 out of 20 shots thrown at him by Tampa. Quapp, meanwhile, would be in line for his Hurricanes preseason debut.
• As for Pyotr Kochetkov, the only netminder in camp who has yet to be named in a preseason lineup, Brind'Amour said on Thursday that the 26-year-old is dealing with a minor injury, having "tweaked something".

Injury Updates

• Defenseman Jaccob Slavin skated with Group C1 for the first time in training camp on Thursday, Sept. 25. He'd been held out due to a minor injury prior to that. Working in a no-contact sweater, Rod Brind'Amour had previously said that the defenseman may not play in preseason.
• Defenseman Jalen Chatfield has not practiced since Friday, Sept. 19 due to a minor injury of his own. Like Slavin, Brind'Amour said he would not be concerned if Chatfield does not play in any preseason games.
• Forward Juha Jaaska has been dealing with a minor injury since Sept. 21. He has been considered day-to-day.
• Forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi took a stick to the face during the team's exhibition game against Tampa on Sept. 26 and did not return. No update was available post-game.
• Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov "tweaked something" and is not practicing as of Sept. 25. There is no timetable for his return.

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes are scheduled to wear their new white uniforms for all six preseason games.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes are right back in action on Monday night in Sunrise, taking on the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena.
• Next Game: Monday, Sept. 29 at Florida | 6:00 p.m. ET
• Next Home Game: Opening Night | Thursday, Oct. 9 vs. New Jersey | 7:00 p.m. ET | Tickets | Parking