RALEIGH, NC. -With a number one seed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs already locked up, the Carolina Hurricanes will be resting several key players for their regular season finale Thursday.
Andrei Svechnikov was not on the ice at morning skate, the first signal of who would be out of the lineup. Then, Jordan Staal and Jaccob Slavin were not taking part in their normal roles during rushes, alluding that they too will be sitting this evening. As an additional positive to those three sitting out, it also means that Jesperi Kotkaniemi is ready to get back in the lineup. #82 has played just twice since suffering and then reaggravating a lower-body injury that he sustained one month ago today against Washington. Kotkaniemi's impending return is not the only positive health news from morning skate either, as Antti Raanta was in the starter's crease for the team. Raanta backed up Pyotr Kochetkov on Tuesday in New York after departing Sunday's win on Long Island during the second period with a lower-body injury. With all of that being said, the projected lineup for tonight's 7 p.m. EST puck drop is: Forwards: Lorentz - Aho - Jarvis Domi - Trocheck - Teravainen Niederreiter - Stepan - Fast Martinook - Kotkaniemi - Necas Defensemen: Cole - DeAngelo Skjei - Pesce Smith - Bear Starting Goalie: Raanta Injuries: Frederik Andersen Scratches: Jaccob Slavin Jordan Staal Andrei Svechnikov Note: Lineup subject to change prior to opening faceoff Worth A Click: Preview: Canes vs. Devils CanesCast Episode 210: As One Race Ends, Another Begins Canes Clinch Division Title For Second Consecutive Year Canes Win Metropolitan Division Title With Win In New York Canes 2022 Playoffs Merch Round One Tickets On Sale Now Hurricanes April Schedule NHL Standings
