2025-26 Regular Season, Game 33 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes completed a perfect week against division foes on Sunday night and ensured a home-and-home sweep against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Canes got off to a better start, getting an early goal from William Carrier to play from in front. They doubled up on the power play later in the period. Alexander Nikishin's shot was tipped in front of the net by Taylor Hall, putting the Canes up 2-0. Jamie Drysdale got the Flyers within one in the final minute of the period. During a delayed penalty, his shot from the point was tipped by Carrier into his own net, souring an otherwise solid period. The game remained 2-1 until the Flyers pulled Dan Vladar for the extra skater. Trevor Zegras, who'd been a thorn all weekend, was left all alone to put one home, sending the game to overtime for the second straight night. Neither side figured it out in overtime, giving us another shootout. After Zegras hit the post in the first round, Andrei Svechnikov caught Vladar guessing and finished it top shelf on his backhand. Brandon Bussi followed it up with an incredible pad stop on Christian Dvorak before pushing Matvei Michkov's chance wide to secure his ninth straight win, the team's fourth straight win, and the third win in the shootout in as many games.

Injury Report

Jesperi Kotkaniemi: After working as the extra on Tuesday at practice, it's unclear whether he's set to return to the lineup tonight, but I'm not counting on it.

The Opponent: Nashville Predators (13-15-4, 30 Points; 8th in the Central Division)

Last Meeting: The Hurricanes took it to Juuse Saros and the Predators when they visited Raleigh on December 6. The power play got off to a hot start, striking twice in the first 10 minutes. Jackson Blake poked at a loose puck at the side of the net, getting a deflected off Taylor Hall's skate to break the ice. Less than two minutes later, Nikolaj Ehlers let one go to double the advantage. With 15 seconds left, the third line earned one more. William Carrier popped out from behind the net and lifted one over Saros' glove to make it 3-0. Blake made it 4-0 with the only goal of the second period, making a beautiful move to the middle of the ice before burying a backhand. Sebastian Aho kept the party rolling, poking a puck free and scoring on a breakaway against his fellow countryman. The Predators finally got one past Brandon Bussi, with Michael Bunting scoring on the power play. Blake got it right back with his second goal of the night, chasing Saros after allowing six goals on 38 shots. Matthew Wood and Filip Forsberg each scored to make it appear closer than it really was. Three-point nights for Blake and Ehlers were more than enough to get the Canes a 6-3 victory. 

Since We Last Met: The Predators have responded well since losing to the Canes. They've won three of their last four, splitting with Colorado and dominating the Blues twice. Nashville appeared poised to be the third team to hand the Avalanche their third regulation loss, but a late goal sent it to overtime. They recovered to win the game in the shootout. They demolished the Blues, 7-2, in their next game before the Avalanche got them back and beat them in regulation. Their most recent effort was a 5-2 victory on Monday night behind a hat trick by Filip Forsberg, extending his point streak to five games (5G, 3A). Ryan O'Reilly, who had two assists on Monday, is also on a four-game point streak (1G, 4A). Juuse Saros has recovered from his early exit in Raleigh, winning his last three starts. Despite 17 goals in their last four games, the Predators remain near the bottom of the league offensively, as they are defensively as well. Tonight marks the first of three straight at home for the Predators, including visits from the Maple Leafs and the Rangers.

Stories to Watch

1. Will Sebastian Aho get back on track?

It's uncharacteristic of the Hurricanes' star to go five games without recording a point, let alone failing to make an overall impact on the contest. He's had bright flashes here and there, but he's shown almost nothing on the scoresheet over the last week and change. He's not tied for the team lead with Seth Jarvis, and several others are quickly approaching him near the top. I would like to see him get back to his game, especially before this weekend's back-to-back against a pair of good Florida teams.

2. Don't look past Nashville before facing the Panthers and the Lightning

Speaking of the Cats and the Bolts, there's no reason for the Canes to look past tonight's game to think about Friday and Saturday. They handled their business in Raleigh to defeat a team labeled as inferior on paper. However, the Predators are feeling it right now, especially after beating a Colorado team that is impervious to losing consistently. Nashville closed that game on 12/6 with three goals in the third period because the Canes took their foot off the gas when they went up 5-0. That can't happen, or the Predators will score in bunches, as they have over their last four games.