Preview: October 30 vs. NY Islanders

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes meet the New York Islanders for the first time this season on Thursday.

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When: Thursday, Oct. 30

Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN+/Hulu

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

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Canes Record: 6-3-0 (12 Points, T-3rd - Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 6-3 Loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, Oct. 28

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Islanders Record: 4-4-1 (9 Points, 8th - Metropolitan Division)

Islanders Last Game: 5-2 Loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, Oct. 28

Last Time Out...

• Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Martinook each scored their first goals of the season, but Vegas spoiled Carolina's homecoming as the Canes fell 6-3.
• Logan Stankoven also scored for the Hurricanes, while Frederik Andersen stopped 29 shots.
• Unfortunately, Shayne Gostisbehere sustained an injury during the loss, sidelining the defenseman for the time being.

Aho's On A Roll...

• Recording a point in all nine games thus far this season, Sebastian Aho's season-opening point streak is now the third longest in franchise history. The only two that have extended longer are Ron Francis' 11-game run (1984-85) and Aho's 12-game streak that began the 2018-19 season.
• Aho's 11 points during his nine-game streak are already tied for the second-most he's recorded through the first 10 games of a season, trailing only the 15 he posted in 2018-19.

Damaged Defense...

• Shayne Gostisbehere's latest injury means Carolina is back to working without half of its defense corps from opening night, as Jaccob Slavin and K'Andre Miller continue to recover as well. In their stead, it's been up to Sean Walker, Jalen Chatfield, Mike Reilly and a smattering of rookies to hold down the fort.
• One of those first-year skaters, Alexander Nikishin, led all players with 27:33 TOI on Tuesday, and ranked tied for the team lead in shots on goal (4), hits (3) and blocked shots (3). The highly touted 24-year-old is undoubtedly still adjusting to life in North America and the NHL, but his impact is noticeably growing on a nightly basis.
• Meanwhile, fellow rookie blueliners Domenick Fensore, Joel Nystrom and Charles Alexis Legault - who was recalled for the second time this season on Wednesday - have also deputized admirably amidst the absences, and will continue to be leaned on as the Canes battle the injury bug.

In Net...

• After suiting up on Tuesday, Frederik Andersen could be in line to start a second straight game this evening.
• Acknowledging that he and his coaching staff "haven't made that decision yet," Rod Brind'Amour hinted at the possibility of the 36-year-old leading the team out against the Islanders after Wednesday's practice: "We don't want to overdo Freddie, but I think he's had plenty of rest, so we may go back with him."
• Alternatively, should he get the nod, Brandon Bussi would be making his fourth NHL start. The 27-year-old backstopped wins over the Sharks and Kings to start the road trip, before suffering his first NHL defeat on Saturday in Dallas.
• Meanwhile, Pyotr Kochetkov remains "right around the corner" from his return to action. He has yet to appear in a game after suffering an injury in practice prior to opening night, but practiced with the team on Monday and Wednesday.

On The Other Side...

• After a four-game win streak from Oct. 16-23, the Islanders come to Raleigh having dropped their last two. Amid a four-game road trip, tonight starts a back-to-back for them that will take them to Washington, D.C., tomorrow night.
• Despite the early-season struggles Bo Horvat (11 points in 9 games) and rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer (7 points in 9 games) have been bright spots for the team. Special teams have been an area of difficulty for the team, which currently sits 26th on the power play (15.6%) and T-24th (71.0%) on the penalty kill.
• While Ilya Sorokin (2-4-1 | 3.75 GAA | .868 SV%) has carried the load in net, David Rittich has been a perfect 2-0 (2.01 GAA | .940 SV%) in his two appearances, and will get the nod tonight, according to Isles Coach Patrick Roy.

Injury Updates...

• Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (lower-body) left the game on Oct. 28 with an injury that was unrelated to the one that kept him out of three games on the Canes' extended road trip. Rod Brind'Amour said on Oct. 29 that the blueliner is "not going to be [out just] day-to-day, I don't think, but hopefully it's not too long."
• Forward Eric Robinson (upper-body) left the game on Oct. 23 and did not return. Rod Brind'Amour said on Oct. 27 that the forward does not need surgery, but will still be out for "a long time."
• Forward William Carrier (lower-body injury) left the game on Oct. 23 and did not return. Alongside Robinson, Rod Brind'Amour said on Oct. 27 that he also does not need surgery, but will still be out for "a long time."
• Defenseman K'Andre Miller (lower-body injury) took warmups before the game on Oct. 23, but was unable to play in the game. Rod Brind'Amour said on Oct. 27 that he is "around the corner" from returning.
• Defenseman Jaccob Slavin (lower-body injury) will be "out for a while," as of Oct. 14. He was placed on IR on Oct. 21 and, as of Oct. 27, was "still a ways away" from returning.
• Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (lower-body injury) suffered an injury in practice on Oct. 6. He was placed on IR on Oct. 13. He returned to practice on Oct. 27, and Rod Brind'Amour said he may return "very, very soon."

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their red uniforms for tonight's contest. To view the team's full 2025-26 uniform schedule, click here.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes are scheduled to practice on Friday before flying to Boston for a Saturday matinee against the Bruins.
• Next Game: Saturday, Nov. 1 at Boston | 1:00 p.m. ET | FDSN South
• Next Home Game: Thursday, Nov. 6 vs. Minnesota | 7:00 p.m. ET | Women In Sports Celebration | Tickets | Parking