See You Tonight:Carolina will not hold a morning skate today. Any information regarding tonight's lineup will come from Rod Brind'Amour at approximately 4:45 p.m.
Welcome Back, "PK":Pyotr Kochetkov's shutout came just one day after being recalled from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. It was his fourth perfect game of the season, now tying him for second among all NHL goaltenders. In fact, no other NHL rookie netminder has more than one. All four of his shutouts have come over his last 18 starts.
Finally Puljujarvi's Debut Day?:After practicing with the club on Friday for the first time, newcomer Jesse Puljujarvi could make his highly-anticipated team debut tonight. After working alongside Paul Stastny and Stefan Noesen, Puljujarvi also took some reps on the power play in the net-front role. Standing at 6'4", 201 lbs., the right-handed shot was
acquired last week from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for unsigned prospect Patrik Puistola.
Rod Brind'Amour said he will play this weekend, but didn't commit to saying whether it would be tonight against Vegas or Sunday in New Jersey.
Crazy 8:Brent Burns tallied a power-play assist on Carolina's only goal on Thursday, giving him a team-high 22 points in his last 19 games. He has now registered 51 points (12g, 39a) in 2022-23, tied with Tony DeAngelo (2021-22: 10g, 41a) for the most points by any Hurricanes defenseman in a single season and the ninth-most by any blueliner in a single campaign in franchise history. With a team-high 39 assists, Burns is one assist shy of joining DeAngelo and Joni Pitkanen (2009-10: 40) as just the third defenseman in team history (since relocation) to register 40 assists in a season.
Between The Pipes:Both Don Waddell and Rod Brind'Amour alike have referenced their desires to keep players fresh as the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach, including avoiding goaltenders playing in consecutive games. This would mean that Frederik Andersen is in line to start tonight, #31 stopped 13 out of 14 and then 5/6 in the shootout Tuesday night in Montreal after entering in relief.
Get On Them Early:The Canes have scored first a league-leading 41 games this season. They're 33-4-4 when they score first, tied with the Bruins for the most wins in the NHL when striking first.
The Impact Of A Ghost: Since Shayne Gostisbehere made his team debut last Friday, the Canes power play is 9/15.
Think Fast: Forward Martin Necas has 13 points in his last 10 games.
On The Other Side:Vegas comes to Raleigh for the only time this season having earned points in eight of their last 10 games. Much like how Carolina has New Jersey on their tails for the Metropolitan Division lead, the Golden Knights have the Los Angeles Kings chasing them down in the Pacific. Jack Eichel has been leading the way offensively for the club since the All-Star break, posting 16 points in 14 games. In net, Jonathan Quick is 2-0 after coming over in a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets last week.
