Frederik Andersen is set to lead the Carolina Hurricanes as they face off against the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday. The veteran goaltender, who successfully blocked all 20 shots during Monday’s game at Amerant Bank Arena, joins Cam Ward, Petr Mrazek, and Kevin Weekes as one of four goalies in franchise history to achieve such a feat.
The Hurricanes will be without Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker due to undisclosed injuries. In their absence, Alexander Nikishin, who earned his first NHL point recently, and Scott Morrow will continue to fill their roles.
Forwards for tonight’s game include Svechnikov, Aho, Jarvis; Hall, Kotkaniemi, Blake; Martinook, Staal, Stankoven; and Robinson, Jankowski, Carrier. On defense are Slavin with Burns; Orlov with Nikishin; and Gostisbehere with Morrow. Andersen will start as goaltender with Kochetkov serving as backup.
The current betting odds from Fanatics Sportsbook list the Canes at +105. The projected power play lines feature Aho alongside Blake and Jarvis with Svechnikov and Gostisbehere on PP1. Hall teams up with Kotkaniemi and Stankoven alongside Burns and Morrow on PP2.
Injuries remain a concern for the team as Jesper Fast is out for the season due to a neck injury while both Chatfield and Walker are day-to-day. Healthy scratches for this matchup include Juha Jaaska, Tyson Jost, Jack Roslovic, Ty Smith, and Riley Stillman.
Game time is set for 8:00 p.m., marking another pivotal moment in this playoff series for Raleigh fans.
