2025-26 Regular Season, Game 27 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators

Last Game: It was a rough showing for the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night. After three days between games, the Canes returned to host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto immediately took the lead. Bobby McMann's shot hit the post and Frederik Andersen's back to get the Leafs on the board 53 seconds into the game. Midway through the frame, the puck took a Toronto bounce off a stanchion, sliding into the slot for Scott Laughton to snap past a surprised Andersen. The Canes cut into the deficit before the end of the period when Shayne Gostisbehere slid a beautiful pass to Seth Jarvis for his 16th of the season. However, it was all Toronto from there on the scoreboard. Matthew Knies outmuscled Sebastian Aho before getting a weak backhander past Andersen. Then, an offensive zone turnover by Jordan Martinook allowed the Leafs to skate the other way on a 3-on-1, giving Auston Matthews a chance to finish a one-timer. McMann's second of the night into the empty net put it to bed as the Leafs dominated the Canes, 5-1.

Injury Report

Jesperi Kotkaniemi: He was a full participant at practice on Friday, so he could be in line to make his return this weekend.

Pyotr Kochetkov: He also participated in Friday's practice, so I suspect that he'll start either tonight or tomorrow against the Sharks. 

Jaccob Slavin: In more surprising news, he shed his non-contact sweater for a regular one on Friday, giving us hope that we could see him on the ice for a game before Christmas.

The Opponent: Nashville Predators (10-13-4, 24 Points; 8th in the Central Division)

Last Season's Meetings: The Predators swept the season series, winning both games by multiple goals. The first encounter was on Broadway right before Christmas. Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault each found the back of the net during the first two periods. Ryan O'Reilly and Mark Jankowski (before the trade) scored early in the third to put the Canes in a bad spot. Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho scored 40 seconds apart to cut the deficit in half, but Marchessault finished it into the empty net for a 5-2 Nashville victory. The Predators visited Raleigh in March and got the job done again. Former Hurricane Michael Bunting got the party started on the power play in the first. Luke Evangelista doubled the lead in the second, but Taylor Hall scored a beautiful goal on the power play to put the Canes one shot away. Instead, Evangelista scored his second of the night in the third, earning the Predators a 3-1 victory.

Since We Last Met: The Nashville Predators were one of the league's most disappointing teams a season ago. Their offense was the second-worst in the NHL, and their defense wasn't much better. They got off to a slow start and were never able to recover. Filip Forsberg was nearly a point-per-game (31 goals, 76 points in 82 games). Otherwise, it was underwhelming for each of their big offseason additions. They didn't do a ton this offseason, doing a complete 180 from the summer before. Erik Haula is back, Nic Hauge was acquired from Vegas, and Nick Perbix was signed through free agency. Otherwise, they didn't do much. It has led to pretty much the exact same situation for the Predators this season. They're near the bottom of the league in goals and goals allowed. It has led to rampant speculation about who could be gone by the trade deadline this season, headlined by Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and even Juuse Saros. If there's one sliver of hope for the Predators, it's that they've won four of their last five games. They earned a wild overtime winner on Thursday, with Stamkos scoring after the Panthers knocked the net off before he put it in. The goal counted, giving the Predators a big win over the defending champs.

Stories to Watch

1. The start of a "must-win weekend" for the Canes

After Thursday's loss, I said that this weekend must end with the Hurricanes getting four points. I stand by this statement. The Canes were embarrassed on home ice by the Maple Leafs. That can't happen against either the Predators or the Sharks. No matter the state of the roster, they can't afford to fall into a hole against every team they play and expect to make a comeback. On paper, they are better teams than both, even in a league with great parity. With every day that passes, the division is getting tougher. The Canes are already in a fight. It's time to bear down and take what is theirs.

2. A potential look at a future Hurricane (or two)?

It's no secret that things haven't been going well for the Predators. This means they're likely to sell players are the deadline. As contenders, the Hurricanes could very well be in the market for a player or two that the Predators employ. I'm looking at Steven Stamkos or Ryan O'Reilly, and, to a lesser extent, Juuse Saros. The Canes have sent scouts to Predators games this season. Now, they won't have to travel to see them.