EDMONTON, Alta. - Four months after having shoulder surgery, Seth Jarvis could be back in the Carolina Hurricanes' lineup as they continue their road trip against the Edmonton Oilers this evening.
Jarvis started the season in a "no-contact" sweater, but shed that label on Oct. 8. Now, with two weeks of full-contact practices under his belt and having been activated from injured/non-roster status yesterday, the 24-year-old is on the cusp of a return.
"I'm excited. I'm not nervous about anything," Jarvis told reporters on Wednesday. "I know how much work I put into my shoulder and just in general, getting ready to play."
Rod Brind'Amour, who spoke to reporters before the team took the ice at Rogers Place this morning, said the team would make an official decision on his status after its optional skate.
Based on yesterday's practice lines, if he plays, Jarvis is likely to slot in next to Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jordan Martinook. He also worked with the team's second power-play unit, a role he'd not yet occupied as he grew closer to his return.
In other forward news, Skyler Brind'Amour, who was recalled yesterday afternoon to help shore up the team's center depth with Jordan Staal and Mark Jankowski on the shelf, will not play tonight. Brind'Amour led Chicago (AHL) in goals (2) and points (3) at the time of his recall.
Behind the cast of skaters, Brandon Bussi is expected to take his turn in the goaltending rotation. Turning in 31 saves on Sunday in Calgary, he found himself on the wrong end of a 3-2 score despite playing well. Before that, he had won his last two starts, beating Montreal and Chicago.
See if the Canes can improve to 3-1 on their road trip tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET on Hurricanes Hockey Network.
---
Tonight's Projected Lineup...
Forwards
Carrier - Aho - Svechnikov
Ehlers - Stankoven - Blake
Martinook - Kotkaniemi - Jarvis
Robinson - Unger Sörum - Deslauriers
Defense
Slavin - Chatfield
Miller - Walker
Gostisbehere - Välimäki
Starting Goaltender
Bussi
---
Injuries
Taylor Hall (Upper-Body Injury | Out Week-to-Week as of Oct. 16)
Mark Jankowski (Lower-Body Injury | Sent Back to Raleigh on Oct. 18)
Jordan Staal (Calf Tear | Expected To Be Out "A Month or Two" From Oct. 13)
Scratches
Skyler Brind'Amour
Mike Reilly
---
PP1: Aho, Blake, Ehlers, and Svechnikov with Gostisbehere
PP2: Jarvis, Kotkaniemi, and Stankoven, with Miller and Välimäki
