Andrei Svechnikov will make his return to the Carolina Hurricanes’ lineup as they face the Montreal Canadiens. Svechnikov has been sidelined for seven games due to an upper-body injury sustained on March 9 against Winnipeg. Prior to his injury, Svechnikov ranked third on the Hurricanes with 43 points this season. At a recent morning skate, he paired with Eric Robinson and Mark Jankowski, but head coach Rod Brind’Amour indicated he might shift positions as he regains his full form.
Frederik Andersen is expected to start in goal for the Hurricanes. Andersen has a record of 11 wins, 5 losses, and no ties, alongside a goals-against average of 2.07 and a save percentage of .918. In his last five starts, he has been undefeated, including a 35-save performance against the Anaheim Ducks.
The Carolina Hurricanes, whose betting odds against the Montreal Canadiens are -350 according to Fanatics Sportsbook, are gearing up for tonight’s game with the following projected lineup:
Forward positions include Jarvis, Aho, and Blake; Hall, Kotkaniemi, and Roslovic; Martinook, Staal, and Stankoven; Robinson, Jankowski, and Svechnikov. On defense, the pairings are Slavin with Burns, Orlov with Chatfield, and Gostisbehere with Walker. Andersen will be starting in goal with Kochetkov as backup.
Players on the injury list include William Carrier, who is out for a couple of months with a lower-body injury, and Jesper Fast, who is out for the season due to a neck injury. Scott Morrow remains a scratch.
The power-play units are set with PP1 comprising of Aho, Blake, Hall, and Jarvis with Gostisbehere, and PP2 comprising of Kotkaniemi, Roslovic, Stankoven, and Svechnikov with Burns.
The game is scheduled to take place at 7:00 p.m.
