2024-25 Regular Season, Game 8 Preview: Hurricanes at Vancouver Canucks

The Carolina Hurricanes are set to conclude their six-game State Fair road trip on Monday night after earning their fourth win during their fifth stop on the journey on Saturday in Seattle. The Hurricanes dismantled the Seattle Kraken from start to finish over the weekend. Andrei Svechnikov got it started early with a power-play tally. It wasn't until late in the second period before the Canes extended their lead, getting a goal from the fourth line after Jackson Blake found Jack Drury for a tap-in. Seattle got on the board to break Frederik Andersen's shutout bid, but Seth Jarvis snagged the two-goal lead back after a sensational breakaway tally late in the night. Dmitry Orlov's wedge from the defensive end found the empty net to seal the deal, earning the Canes their third straight victory, 4-1. To close the six-game trek, the Canes are in Vancouver to face the Canucks.

The Opponent: Vancouver Canucks (4-1-2, 10 Points This Season)
After missing three straight postseasons, the Canucks rode their fire power and a hot start to a Pacific Division title in Rick Tocchet's first full season in Vancouver. Along with a Jack Adams win for Tocchet, Quinn Hughes nabbed the first Norris Trophy of his career after leading all defensemen in scoring with 92 points. While they saw individual success, the Canucks were ousted in seven games by the Oilers in the second round. The Canucks didn't inspire much confidence with their 0-1-2 start, but they've won four straight in response. The trio of JT Miller, Conor Garland, and Brock Boeser are leading the way offensively, Hughes hasn't been scoring at the pace he was last season, but he's still as dynamic as ever. Each of their special teams' units are ranked 11th in the league and they're in the Top 10 in goals allowed per game, despite playing without their All-Star goalie to begin the season. This is the second of three straight at home for the Canucks after beating the Penguins 4-3 on Saturday. 

Last Season's Meetings- The Canucks were one of three teams to sweep the Hurricanes last season, winning a pair of one-goal contests. The Canes visited Vancouver during their December road trip last season. The Canucks worked to gain a 3-1 lead late in the second period, but Brady Skjei's power-play goal in the final minute of the period and Stefan Noesen's tying goal brough them even early in the third. The good feeling was short lived when Elias Pettersson scored a wrap-around goal 79 seconds later to eventually win 4-3. Special teams ruled the Canucks' trip to Raleigh in February. Jordan Martinook scored a short-handed goal early in the contest, but former Hurricane Elias Lindholm, playing his first game after being acquired from Calgary, scored a pair of power-play goals to give Vancouver the lead. Sebastian Aho answered with a power-play goal late in the second period to tie things up. Four minutes into the third period, JT Miller put the Canucks back ahead, proving to be the game-winner of a 3-2 Vancouver win.

Stories of the Night
1. Has Anyone Seen Elias Pettersson?
While he scored his first goal of the season on Saturday, the start of the season hasn't been kind to Elias Pettersson. Since signing his eight-year extension in March, Pettersson hasn't produced at the level we've grown accustomed to seeing from him. He was largely absent down the stretch and during the postseason last season, and his four points are below what we would expect from him. If Saturday was him finding his groove, that doesn't bode well for the Hurricanes, a team Pettersson has traditionally performed against (5-6-11 in 10 games). 

2. No Demko, No Problem with Kevin Lankinen
When Thatcher Demko was announced to miss the beginning of the season, I was slightly concerned with the duo of Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen manning the nets. While Silovs hasn't gotten off to the best start, Lankinen has been incredible. Lankinen is 4-0-1 through five starts, including a 26-save performance against the Flyers two weeks ago. He's in the Top 10 in the league in save percentage and GAA, seemingly taking control of the net until Demko returns. It's not confirmed whether he'll be the starter or Silovs, but if Lankinen is in the net, the Canucks will have to like their chances, given Lankinen's start.

3. Ending the Road Trip Right
After Saturday's win in Seattle, I declared the road trip a success for the Hurricanes, reaching eight points through five contests. I stand by that assessment of the Canes' time away from Raleigh. The only way to make it better would be to close the trip with a fourth straight victory in a building that has historically been tough for the Hurricanes. Since relocating to Raleigh, the Hurricanes are 3-11-4 in 18 road contests in Vancouver. This is going to be the toughest game of the trip and it's not close.

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