The Carolina Hurricanes have provided updates regarding player availability, goaltender assignments, and projected lineups for a series of upcoming games. The announcements detail the status of several players, including William Carrier, Shayne Gostisbehere, Jaccob Slavin, Mike Reilly, and Joel Nystrom, alongside goaltender plans for contests against the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres.
Player Status Updates and Returns
William Carrier, initially ruled out for the game against the Florida Panthers (his third consecutive absence due to a lower-body injury), also missed the subsequent game against the New Jersey Devils. He is scheduled to return to the lineup for the game against the Buffalo Sabres, following a four-game absence.
Shayne Gostisbehere was doubtful for the Panthers game due to not feeling well, with a later confirmation that he would miss the contest with a lower-body injury. He was also confirmed to miss the game against the Devils and is set to miss his third consecutive game against the Sabres due to the same lower-body injury, currently listed as day-to-day.
Jaccob Slavin was anticipated to play against the Florida Panthers after having sat out a previous game as part of his injury rehabilitation. Coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed that Slavin was scheduled to play in both halves of a back-to-back for the first time this season, which included the games against Florida and New Jersey.
Mike Reilly was a potential inclusion in the lineup for the Panthers game and was listed in the projected lineup for the Devils game. For the game against the Sabres, he is anticipated to be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game.
Joel Nystrom, a defenseman, was recalled by the Hurricanes from Chicago (AHL) prior to the Panthers game. He was listed as a scratch for the Devils game but is expected to remain in the lineup for the Sabres game.
Goaltending Assignments
Brandon Bussi was slated to make his 21st NHL start in goal for the game against the Florida Panthers. This marked his second game against the Panthers, having previously recorded 38 saves against them on December 19. Bussi is also confirmed to start in goal for the game against the Buffalo Sabres. His record in his first 21 NHL appearances stands at 17-3-1, with his most recent performance against Florida being 15 saves on 16 shots.
Frederik Andersen was confirmed as the starting goaltender for the game against the New Jersey Devils. Andersen had recently secured three out of a possible four points in his two prior starts and had recorded a 6-3 victory against New Jersey earlier in the season, stopping 19 of 22 shots in that performance.
Current Injury Report
The following players remain on the injury list:
- Pyotr Kochetkov: Hip surgery (Likely out for the year as of December 29).
- Charles Alexis Legault: Hand injury (Out 3-4 months from November 11).
- Noah Philp: Concussion protocol (No timetable for return).
Projected Lineups
Vs. Florida Panthers (Source 1)
- Forwards: Svechnikov - Aho - Ehlers, Hall - Stankoven - Blake, Martinook - Staal - Jarvis, Robinson - Jankowski - Kotkaniemi
- Defense: Slavin - Chatfield, Miller - Walker, Reilly - Nikishin
- Starting Goaltender: Bussi
Vs. New Jersey Devils (Source 2)
- Forwards: Svechnikov - Aho - Jarvis, Hall - Stankoven - Blake, Ehlers - Staal - Martinook, Robinson - Jankowski - Kotkaniemi
- Defense: Slavin - Chatfield, Miller - Walker, Reilly - Nikishin
- Starting Goaltender: Andersen
Vs. Buffalo Sabres (Source 3)
- Forwards: Svechnikov - Aho - Jarvis, Hall - Stankoven - Blake, Ehlers - Staal - Martinook, Robinson - Jankowski/Kotkaniemi - Carrier
- Defense: Slavin - Chatfield, Miller - Walker, Nikishin - Nystrom
- Starting Goaltender: Bussi
Power Play Units
The power play units have been structured as follows:
- PP1: Aho, Ehlers (Jordan Staal), Jarvis, Svechnikov with Nikishin. Jordan Staal is designated to take faceoffs; if he wins, he remains on the ice. Otherwise, Nikolaj Ehlers will substitute in once the puck exits the zone.
- PP2: Blake, Hall, Stankoven with Miller. For the Devils game, Jankowski was also listed on PP2, and for the Sabres game, Jankowski and Miller were listed, with Stankoven also included.