2024-25 Regular Season, Game 34 Preview: Hurricanes at Nashville Predators

In their penultimate game before Christmas, the Carolina Hurricanes were at Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers. The start wasn't great as Jimmy Vesey scored 17 seconds into the game to get New York ahead early. Fortunately, that's all the joy the Rangers would get during this festive time of the year. Pyotr Kochetkov stood on business to keep his team in the fight before they were rewarded with a pair of goals in the second period. William Carrier won a battle in the crease to get to a loose puck, sliding it past Igor Shesterkin after Jaccob Slavin's initial shot hit the post. Jack Roslovic, missing some teeth after taking a high stick from Alexis Lafreniere, put the Canes in front by tipping home Dmitry Orlov's pass at the backdoor. Both goalies did an excellent job of keeping the game at 2-1 but it was the Canes who would win the battle, getting the empty-net goal from Sebastian Aho to ice a 3-1 victory. Along with 22 saves in the net, Kochetkog finished the afternoon with a pair of assists, becoming the second goalie in franchise history to record a multi-point game. 

The Opponent: Nashville Predators (10-17-7, 27 Points- 7th in the Central Division)

After losing in the first round of the playoffs last season, Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators took a big swing during the offseason, signing Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos, and former Hurrican Brady Skjei to massive contracts. Paired with existing stalwarts like Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros, Nashville was a popular pick to finish in the Top 3 of the division, possibly challenging for the top spot. More than two months into the season, those predictions are looking a little silly. The Predators have been one of the biggest disappointments in the league this season, sitting with the third-fewest points (27) in the league and the fewest goals (79). Saros is being worked to death, playing more games and facing more shots than any goalie in the league. He has just seven wins in 27 starts, but it's not for a lack of effort on his part. Their offense has been abysmal. Forsberg (26 points) and Josi (24) have been fine, but there hasn't been much outside of them. Their big additions haven't found their stride and the secondary scoring has been nowhere to be seen. The only area they haven't been a complete disaster in is the penalty kill, which is second in the league just ahead of the Canes. 

Last Season's Meetings: The Canes and the Predators met twice in 12 days last December, beginning in Raleigh on December 15 for one of the wildest games of the season. The Canes led 2-1 after the first period, thanks to power-play goals from Stefan Noesen and Tony DeAngelo. The second period featured six goals, three for each team as the Canes maintained a 5-4 lead. Jeremy Lauzon scored the only goal of the third period to force overtime before Filip Forsberg won it 33 seconds into the extra session to take the second point. 12 days later in Nashville, the Canes got it back. Sebastian Aho notched his 500th career point with an early power-play goal, the first of three for the Canes in the game. He would add three assists to that total by the end of the night and Pyotr Kochetkov made 35 saves as the Canes won 5-2 in their first game after Christmas. 

Stories of the Night

1. Tokarski (Likely) Gets Another Look

With Kochetkov playing on Sunday, I would think Dustin Tokarski will be in the net for the Canes in Nashville, but Rod Brind'Amour has shown he isn't afraid to start a goalie two days in a row. Tokarski earned another start with his performance against the Blue Jackets during the most recent homestand, playing lights out in his Hurricanes debut. He'd be facing stiff competition in Nashville, despite their disappointing start. It's also very possible that he's opposite Juuse Saros, who never seems to get a night off. On the slight chance Andrew Brunette doesn't start his All-Star, it would be Justus Annunen in the net. 

2. The Search for Win #300

Along with going for a win before Christmas, the Canes will begin their quest to earn Rod Brind'Amour his 300th win as an NHL coach. This would make him the second coach in the organization's history to reach the milestone and easily the quickest. It would be the perfect Christmas present for a man who is about as humble as they come. With this team, it's not a matter of if they'll get it. It's more about whether it's now or when they come back from the break.