2024-25 Regular Season, Game 55 Preview: Hurricanes at Minnesota Wild

The Carolina Hurricanes are hoping to sweep Tuesday's loss to the Jets under the rug after being shut out 3-0 to begin their short road trip. They had a goal disallowed in the first period for goalie interference and never beat Eric Comrie again. Meanwhile, Winnipeg scored on the power play late in the first and early in the second to put themselves ahead 2-0. Nino Niederreiter and Neal Pionk were responsible for the goals. Winnipeg had a goal disallowed for a kicking motion in the third period but was on the right side of a goalie interference decision to extend their lead to 3-0 after the third goal had been waved off. Comrie finished the night with 29 saves as the Jets flew through the Hurricanes despite little help from their top line. 

The Opponent: Minnesota Wild (31-19-4, 66 Points- 3rd in the Central Division)

Last Meeting: The Wild came into Raleigh in early January and shut out the Hurricanes, 4-0, behind a 21-save performance from Filip Gustavsson. One line did all the damage for the Wild. Marco Rossi (4 assists), Matt Boldy (1 goal, 2 assists), and Mats Zuccarello (2 goals, 1 assist) combined for ten points, while Joel Eriksson Ek added a power play goal and Jonas Brodin provided a helper to account for the remainder of the scoring. The Canes had no answer for Gustavsson as they were shut out for the third time this season. It would be the group's last regulation home loss until last Saturday against the Kings. 

Since We Last Met: It has been a rough month for the Minnesota Wild since they traveled to Raleigh. The Wild are 6-8-0 in their last 14 games, including back-to-back shutouts to close their recent five-game road trip. Their loss on Saturday to Ottawa was especially bad. The Wild were outshot 52-16 in a 6-0 loss to the Senators, but it's Ryan Hartman's action that stood out the most. Hartman was suspended ten games for a face-off play in which Hartman drove Tim Stutzle's head into the ice by putting his elbow on Stutzle's neck. No matter how you shake it, that type of play has no place in the league. This means Hartman should be out for the game, as will Kirill Kaprizov. The All-Star had surgery to remedy a lower-body concern and was placed on LTIR in the process. Still, the Wild aren't a team to be taken lightly. The trio that terrorized the Canes in Raleigh will remain just as prevalent in Minnesota and both goalies have been playing well, too. 

Stories of the Night

1. Which Team Comes Out with More Fire?

Both Carolina and Minnesota have plenty to play for on Thursday night. Both have lost two in a row. Both were shut out on Tuesday. In Minnesota's case, it was their second straight shutout loss. Both teams are in the playoffs but could still do a lot to improve their current standing. Not to be the master of the obvious point, but the team that plays with more desperation while keeping it within the rules and gets the better goaltending is going to win this game. For my sake, I hope that's the Canes. 

2. Something Has to Give on the Power Play

Not to sound like a broken record, but the Hurricanes power play is incredibly broken right now. They should've had a goal against Winnipeg on Tuesday night before it was called back. The Canes are now 2-for-44 in 2025 and 1-for-25 in their last ten games. They tried moving things around before Tuesday's game and I didn't think it looked terrible, but the conversions need to start coming like they were at the beginning of the season. 

3. Mikko Rantanen is Due to Break Out

Through his first five games with the team, Mikko Rantanen hasn't scored a lot of points, which has become a growing concern for some within the fan base. I'm not as worried about him since he's just joining a new team and a new system, but my calmness is not shared by some. Rantanen has been excellent as a Hurricane, doing the small things even while he isn't scoring. He also should've had a goal against the Jets, hitting the inside of the post on the power play. The goals and points will come. Please, be patient.