The Carolina Hurricanes are preparing to welcome defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere back into the lineup for their game against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Gostisbehere has been limited to just one appearance since October 18 due to two separate lower-body injuries. He participated fully in the team’s morning skate, pairing with Alexander Nikishin and taking part in drills with the first power play unit.
Before his injuries, Gostisbehere made a strong start to the season, recording seven points in four games and sharing the league lead among defensemen with Cale Makar.
Gostisbehere’s return comes as Charles Alexis Legault is sidelined following a hand injury sustained during Sunday’s game in Toronto. The team announced that Legault suffered a cut after falling on a skate blade.
The Hurricanes’ forward lines remain unchanged from their recent win. Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov will continue playing together as each looks to extend their point streaks. Nikolaj Ehlers will also seek to add to his own streak alongside Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake.
Goaltender Frederik Andersen is set to start against Washington, marking his 18th career appearance versus the Capitals. Andersen secured a win in his last outing against Minnesota by stopping 21 shots.
The projected lineup for Tuesday includes forwards Svechnikov, Aho, Jarvis; Ehlers, Stankoven, Blake; Carrier, Staal, Martinook; Hall, Kotkaniemi, Robinson. On defense are Miller-Walker, Nikishin-Gostisbehere, and Reilly-Nystrom pairings. Andersen is listed as the starting goaltender.
Jalen Chatfield (upper-body), Shayne Gostisbehere (midsection), Charles Alexis Legault (hand), and Jaccob Slavin (lower-body) are all currently dealing with injuries. Scratches for this matchup include Gavin Bayreuther, Brandon Bussi, and Mark Jankowski.
The first power play unit features Aho, Ehlers, Jarvis, Svechnikov with Gostisbehere; while the second unit consists of Blake, Hall, Stankoven with Miller and Walker.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
