Carolina visits Montreal on Tuesday after Sebastian Aho scored twice in a 3-2 overtime win over Philadelphia. The Canes’ power play, which has generated three goals in three games, faces a Montreal penalty kill that has yet to allow a power-play goal this season. Both teams sit with 3 points in their respective divisions after early struggles.
Hurricanes Vs Canadiens Game Information
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, CARNHL
- Series: Season series starts Oct. 6
Who Starts In Net?
Pyotr Kochetkov is projected as Carolina’s starting goalie after turning aside 16 shots in Saturday’s overtime win over Philadelphia. He carries a .877 save percentage through the young season. Jakub Dobes is expected to start for Montreal after stopping 24 of 29 shots against Pittsburgh, though his save percentage has dipped to .862 with Montreal allowing an average of 4.00 goals against per game, the highest mark either team carries into Tuesday.
What’s The Injury Situation For Both Teams?
Montreal is without defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who remains on injured reserve following groin surgery with an expected return around Oct. 20. Forward Lucas Condotta and defenseman Bryce Pickford are also on injured reserve, while center Oliver Kapanen (lower body) and defenseman Alexandre Carrier (undisclosed) are listed as day-to-day with possible returns as soon as Tuesday.
Carolina is dealing with its own absences. Center Seth Jarvis remains on injured reserve recovering from shoulder surgery, with a target return date of Oct. 24. Defenseman Alexander Nikishin is out amid a contract dispute, with a possible return around Oct. 10. No other Hurricanes were listed as injured ahead of Tuesday’s matchup, according to the Associated Press.
By The Numbers
- Goals: Canadiens 8, Hurricanes 5
- Points: Canadiens 21, Hurricanes 15
- Shots total: Hurricanes 88, Canadiens 49
- Shooting percentage: Canadiens 16.3%, Hurricanes 5.7%
- Power-play goals: Hurricanes 3, Canadiens 0
- Faceoff percentage: Canadiens 57.9%, Hurricanes 51.9%
- Average goals against: Hurricanes 2.67, Canadiens 4.00
- Save percentage: Hurricanes .877, Canadiens .862
- Penalty minutes: Hurricanes 45, Canadiens 20
Key Matchup: Carolina Power Play Vs. Montreal Penalty Kill
Carolina has generated 88 total shots through three games, nearly double Montreal’s 49, but a 5.7% shooting percentage reveals the offense’s inefficiency. Montreal has converted at a 16.3% clip, led by Cole Caufield’s two goals and Nick Suzuki’s four points. Kochetkov will face fewer but higher-quality chances; Dobes must handle relentless volume.
Carolina must solve Montreal’s penalty kill, which has been perfect through two games, while Montreal’s power play, shut out through two games, needs to generate offense. Aho’s dominant performance Saturday showed Carolina can win with its special teams working. If that continues Tuesday, the Hurricanes improve their division standing.
What’s Next
A win Tuesday gives either team early traction in its division. Carolina returns home Thursday; they have alternated wins and losses to start the season and must stabilize. Montreal, coming off a overtime loss at Pittsburgh, needs to regroup and contain Carolina’s offensive volume.
Reporting from The Associated Press and Kansascity contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).
