2024-25 Regular Season, Game 21 Preview: Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars

The Carolina Hurricanes return home to begin a three-game homestand after finishing a three-game road trip on Saturday in Columbus. It was a very wild contest, featuring four ties before the Blue Jackets won in the shootout. Dante Fabbro went coast-to-coast to open the scoring on a 2-on-1, but Jack Roslovic responded a few minutes later by burying his 12th goal of the season in his return to his home against his former team. Kirill Marchenko, a budding Canes killer, helped the Jackets regain the lead with a breakaway goal midway through the frame. The Canes wouldn't tie it again until Jalen Chatfield jumped into the play and scored early in the second period. With the game tied at two, the two teams traded power-play goals as Dmitri Voronkov and Sebastian Aho scored their team's third goals. Instead of Columbus taking the lead again, the Canes gained their first lead of the night on Jackson Blake's tally. The 4-3 lead stood until Marchenko scored with Elvis Merzlikins on the bench with 66 seconds left to force overtime. Neither team scored in overtime, but the story was Pyotr Kochetkov's injury after a collision between the Canes netminder and Sean Walker as he defended Zach Werenski. Spencer Martin relieved Kochetkov, allowing one goal in the shootout to provide the difference as the Canes settled for one point.

The Opponent: Dallas Stars (13-6-0, 26 Points, 3rd in the Central Division)

While the Dallas Stars are an incredible team, they're stuck behind two teams in the Central Division who have been incendiary to begin the season. Dallas claimed its first division title in almost a decade last season, finishing with the most points in the Western Conference. For their efforts, they survived a grueling seven-game series with defending champion Vegas in the first round and a six-game slugfest with the Avalanche before falling in the Western Conference Finals to Edmonton in six games. The Stars haven't had quite the same scoring touch as last season, though their second line of Matt Duchene (team-leading 11 goals and 23 points), Mason Marchment (6-12-18), and Tyler Seguin (7-9-16) has been killer. Roope Hintz hasn't had the high-end point production, but his eight goals are second to Duchene. They are still waiting for Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn, and Wyatt Johnston to get going. Their real strength has been in the net. Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith are the league's best duo in goals allowed. Both have save percentages of .914 or better and near-identical GAAs. Oettinger feels like a surefire pick for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-off in February. They are a dangerous team that feels certain to go on another deep run this postseason.

Last Season's Meetings: The Stars swept the two meetings with the Hurricanes last season. They played twice nine days apart, beginning in Dallas in mid-February. The two traded goals through 40 minutes, with Roope Hintz and Mason Marchment scoring for Dallas and Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook leveling it for the Canes. The difference came in the third period. Jason Robertson buried a chance early in the period before Matt Duchene scored into the empty net. Jack Drury looked to have a goal late to draw within one, but a review overturned the goal and halted the Canes' chances. The return trip to Raleigh was a frustrating one for the Canes. Robertson opened the scoring in the first period, and Sebastian Aho responded early in the second. Wyatt Johnston put Dallas back ahead and that would be all she wrote. The Canes failed to garner many chances against Jake Oettinger, allowing Dallas to win 2-1.

Stories of the Night

1. The Goalie Situation Will Be What it is

We didn't receive an update on Pyotr Kochetkov's health following Saturday's loss or on Sunday, but the team called up Yaniv Perets to presumably serve as the backup for the time being. This also means Spencer Martin is going to be the starter until Kochetkov returns. There isn't anything we can do about it now. The expectation remains the same for the Hurricanes, so Martin needs to step up to the plate and get the job done. We've already seen what he's capable of this season, shutting out the Senators in his last home start. 

2. Is Seth Jarvis Ready?

The Hurricanes also removed Seth Jarvis from Injured Reserve on Sunday, signaling that he might be ready to go. Jarvis has missed the last seven games with a shoulder injury after posting 11 points in his first 13 games this season. A return for Jarvis could be huge for the Canes' offense, which is already churning out goals at an impressive clip. He hasn't been confirmed for the game, so this might be a bit premature. Still, it's a positive sign on the injury front, something the Canes have desperately needed lately.

3. Another Big Rookie Battle in Raleigh

While the Canes have seen Matvei Michkov twice against the Flyers, this will be the team's first look at Logan Stankoven. Stankoven enters Monday's contest tied for the most assists among rookies (11) and second in points (15) to Michkov. The Canes' rookie, Jackson Blake, is tied for fifth in points (8) and second in goals (6), also to Michkov. I don't imagine their lines will battle much tonight, but it'll be another fun internal battle to see at the Lenovo Center.