2024-25 Regular Season, Game 20 Preview: Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets

The Carolina Hurricanes will look to bounce back on Saturday night after dropping a 4-2 decision to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. The Canes were playing the second half of a back-to-back after beating the Flyers the night before, and they got off to a good start. Much of the first period was in the Canes' favor, taking a 1-0 lead after Jack Roslovic knocked home his 11th goal of the season. The Devils got life at the end of the period after a Canes' turnover, allowing Jack Hughes to set up Jesper Bratt for an easy goal. The Devils added a 5-on-3 goal early in the second as Stefan Noesen finished another Hughes pass. The Canes stuck around despite looking like the slower team, tying the game 12 seconds into the third on an Andrei Svechnikov power play goal. Dougie Hamilton would find the eventual game-winner, blasting a shot over Spencer Martin's shoulder. Bratt added his second of the night to provide the dagger, scoring on the power play to make it 4-2. Bratt and Hughes each finished with three points and Jacob Markstrom made 20 saves in his 500th NHL game to claim the victory.

The Opponent: Columbus Blue Jackets (8-9-2, 18 Points, 6th in the Metropolitan Division)

It was a very somber offseason in Columbus. All-Star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were struck and killed by a drunk driver while biking the night before their sister's wedding in August. The news sent shockwaves through the sports world, leading to incredibly touching tributes from around the league. The human element made the hockey element feel meaningless. On the ice, new General Manager, and former Canes GM, Don Waddell needed to find a way to make this team competitive in a tough division. Thus far, the Blue Jackets have been a bit of a surprise. They're below .500, but are Top 10 in goals per game, scoring six or more goals in a game six times. Sean Monahan was their biggest offseason addition. He's their team's leading goal scorer (7) and tied with Zach Werenski for the team lead in points (19). Kirill Marchenko is right behind them with 18 points. The most impressive part is how their scoring has been spread throughout their lineup. They have 13 players with at least three goals, including six players with at least six. They've also had to do it without captain Boone Jenner, who had shoulder surgery before the season began. Their problem has been keeping the puck out of the net, which isn't a new issue. Daniil Tarasov and Elvis Merzlikins have backstopped the Jackets to the third-most goals allowed per game (3.58) and the third-worst save percentage (.875) in the league. They are still a few pieces away from doing anything impactful, like making the playoffs, but I trust Waddell to get them on the right track.

Last Season's Meetings: The Hurricanes took three of the four meetings last season with the Blue Jackets, including both games in Raleigh. The first battle was on Black Friday after the Canes had been embarrassed 8-2 by the Lightning. The game was scoreless through two periods before Kirill Marchenko and Johnny Gaudreau struck in the first seven minutes. Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored midway through the frame and Brady Skjei tied it with 3:09 left before Andrei Svechnikov scored his first of the season with under two minutes remaining to complete the comeback and win 3-2. The first meeting in Columbus on the final day of February was a weird one. This time, it was the Canes who jumped ahead, getting goals from Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho to take a 2-0 lead early in the second period. Cole Sillinger cut into the deficit, but Skjei scored late in the frame to restore the advantage. Alexander Nylander made it a one-goal game again on the power play, but Seth Jarvis' empty-netter sealed the 4-2 victory.

The Hurricanes welcomed the Blue Jackets back to Raleigh for their home finale, riding a 23-save shutout from Frederik Andersen to victory. Teravainen, Aho, and Svechnikov provided the offense to finish the home slate on a high note before their season-ending four-game road trip. The trip ended with Game #82 in Columbus. This was a truly wild affair, as the Canes rested some of their starters with their playoff position locked. Bradly Nadeau and Jackson Blake made their NHL debuts in what was a back-and-forth affair for about 30 minutes. The Jackets went up 2-0, including Luca Del Bel Belluz's first NHL goal. The Canes stormed back with Kotkaniemi and Teravainen tying it up. James Malatesta scored in the final minute of the first period to retake the lead, but Teravainen's second of the night midway through the second tied it at three. Columbus would eventually pull away, scoring three unanswered to win 6-3. Zach Werenski finished the night with two goals and four points to prevent the season sweep.

Stories of the Night

1. This Game is More Important Than We Realize

Have you looked at next week's schedule? It's a gauntlet. Dallas and New York (the good one) will be in town on Monday and Wednesday. Then, they face the defending champs in a home-and-home on Friday and Saturday. Coming off a loss to even the road trip at 1-1-0, this win will be crucial for the Hurricanes, especially with the uncertainty of how next week will play out. The offense needs to be lethal. Pyotr Kochetkov needs to be on his game. Special teams need to take advantage of every opportunity. The Canes can't afford to fall into a trap in Columbus.

2. Columbus' Offense is Feeling Itself

While the Canes were in New Jersey on Thursday, the Blue Jackets hosted the Lightning in a high-scoring barnburner. It was back-and-forth all night. The Bolts scored the first three and led 3-1 after 20 minutes. The two sides combined for six goals in under six minutes in the second period with the game tied 5-5 after two. They traded goals in the third during the same penalty sequence before Zach Werenski scored the winner in overtime. Werenski finished the night with two goals and five points. Sean Monahan had a goal and three assists. Kent Johnson scored twice in his return to the lineup. It was an ugly game, but the Blue Jackets have to be feeling good after an offensive outburst like that.

3. What Will the Lines Look Like?

Rod Brind'Amour has brought out the blender during both games on the trip, leading to mixed results. Thursday's game saw Jackson Blake moved next to Aho and Roslovic, the Staal line reunited, and Svechnikov with Kotkaniemi and Necas. I want to see more of Blake on the top line. I think he's been one of the many pleasant surprises for the team to begin the season and has earned a chance to prove himself. I also think Svechnikov and Necas have loads of chemistry, as evidenced during their connection on the power play a few times this season. As important as Saturday is, I wouldn't be opposed to a little experimenting.