The Carolina Hurricanes carry a six-game winning streak into Canada Life Centre on Saturday, looking to keep rolling against a Winnipeg Jets team that just dropped a heartbreaker in Chicago. Puck drop for this Hurricanes vs Jets preview matchup is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, with Carolina sitting at 6-1-1 and Winnipeg at 4-1-2 heading into the first meeting of the season between the two clubs.
Carolina has won five straight games since an opening loss and overtime setback, outscoring opponents by wide margins along the way, including a 7-2 rout of the Vancouver Canucks earlier this month. Winnipeg, meanwhile, is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at Chicago on Thursday night, a game that saw Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane break the NHL assists record for a U.S.-born player, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Hurricanes Vs Jets Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, CARNHL
How Have Both Teams Been Playing
Carolina’s win streak is the headline number entering this one, built largely away from home. The Hurricanes own a 4-0-0 record on the road this season, according to the Associated Press, and have scored 31 goals against 19 allowed through eight games.
Winnipeg has been far less consistent, going 2-1-1 at home and dropping two of its last three games. The Jets fell 5-1 to Anaheim on Oct. 10 before bouncing back with a 5-2 win over Minnesota, then lost in overtime at Chicago. Winnipeg has scored and allowed 21 goals apiece this season, an even differential that reflects a team still finding its footing early in the schedule.
Who Is Out For Each Team
Carolina will again be without forward Taylor Hall, who is week to week after a collision with Washington’s Justin Sourdif left him unable to finish the second period of Tuesday’s 4-2 win, a situation detailed in the Total Apex Sports report on the Hall injury. Forward Seth Jarvis remains on injured reserve recovering from shoulder surgery, though he skated with the team Friday and is traveling on Carolina’s road trip without a timeline for his season debut. Center Jordan Staal (calf) and forward Garrett Brown (lower body) are also out for the Hurricanes.
Winnipeg’s injury list is longer. Forward Vladislav Namestnikov is considered week to week after crashing into the boards during Thursday’s morning skate in Chicago and sitting out that night’s game. Defenseman Josh Morrissey is out, and defenseman Elias Salomonsson remains day to day following shoulder surgery. Forward Walker Duehr skated in a regular jersey Friday and is expected to head to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose once healthy and cleared to play.
Who Is Expected To Start In Net
Brandon Bussi is the probable starting goaltender for Carolina, while Winnipeg is expected to go with Clay Stevenson, who is projected to start after the Jets used the same lineup in Thursday’s overtime loss at Chicago, according to NHL.com’s projected lineup report. Carolina has made its own roster moves this week, recalling forwards Bradly Nadeau and Unger Sorum from AHL Chicago, with both expected to play Saturday. The projected top forward lines for the Hurricanes have Carrier, Aho and Svechnikov together, with Nadeau, Stankoven and Blake forming another line.
Key Matchup To Watch
Sebastian Aho leads Carolina in all three major offensive categories this season with six goals, seven assists and 13 points, and he projects to center the Hurricanes’ top line against a Winnipeg defense already missing Morrissey and Salomonsson. Kyle Connor paces the Jets with eight goals and 11 points, and his ability to generate offense against a Carolina penalty kill that has allowed the fewest goals against in the league at 2.38 per game could decide whether Winnipeg can slow the NHL’s hottest team. Carolina also holds a clear edge at the faceoff dot, winning 50.6% of draws compared to Winnipeg’s 46.1%, a gap that could help the Hurricanes control puck possession and limit the Jets’ chances to generate sustained pressure.
What To Watch
Carolina sits atop the Metropolitan Division with 13 points, while Winnipeg is third in the Central Division at 10 points, trailing Utah and Minnesota early in the season. A Hurricanes win would extend their streak to seven games and keep them perfect on the road, while the Jets will be looking to snap a stretch in which they’ve lost two of three to regain footing in a crowded Central Division race.
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