What – Game 27 (16-8-2)
When – 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6
Where – Lenovo Center; Raleigh, NC
How to Watch – FanDuel Sports Network South

The Carolina Hurricanes will look to break out of a bit of a funk tonight as they host the Nashville Predators.

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Carolina is coming off of a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and they’ve now scored two or less goals in four of their last five outings.

The Canes may be getting a few reinforcements however as both Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Pyotr Kochetkov have been practicing with the team and while Jaccob Slavin took part in his first full practice on Wednesday, he’s still probably a little ways away from returning.

After another terrible start for Nashville, the Predators have found a bit of a rhythm, winning four of their last five games, including most recently beating the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Thursday.

Streaks

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Milestone Watch

Jesperi Kotkaniemi is one point shy of 200 career points.

Jaccob Slavin is one point shy of 300 career points.

Jordan Martinook is two goals away from 100 career goals.

Game Notes

Carolina is 24-18-1-4 all-time against Nashville, including going 0-2-0 last season.

Former Predators on Carolina’s roster include Mark Jankowski (2022-25) and assistant coach Jeff Daniels (1998-99).

Former Hurricanes on the Nashville roster include Tyson Jost (2024-25), Brady Skjei (2020-24), Michael Bunting (2023-24) and Erik Haula (2019-20).

Sebastian Aho (13g, 25pts in 24gp) is a point-per-game player for his career against the Predators.

Projected Starting Goalies

Brandon Bussi: 7-1-0; 0.908 Sv%; 2.11 GAA

Juuse Saros: 9-9-3; 0.897 Sv%; 2.86 GAA

Leading Scorers

Goals – Seth Jarvis (16) / Filip Forsberg & Ryan O’Reilly (9)

Points – Sebastian Aho (25) / Ryan O’Reilly (21)

Power PlayPenalty Kill

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis
Nikolaj Ehlers – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake
William Carrier – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook
Taylor Hall – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Eric Robinson

K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere – Jalen Chatfield
Alexander Nikishin – Joel Nystrom

Brandon Bussi
Frederik Andersen

Injuries and Scratches: Mike Reilly, Mark Jankowski, Pyotr Kochetkov (LBI), Jaccob Slavin (LBI)

Steven Stamkos – Ryan O’Reilly – Luke Evangelista
Filip Forsberg – Erik Haula – Jonathan Marchessault
Reid Schaefer – Fedor Svechkov – Matthew Wood
Michael Bunting – Tyson Jost – Michael McCarron

Nicolas Hague – Roman Josi
Brady Skjei – Adam Wilsby
Spencer Stastney – Nick Blankenburg

Juuse Saros
Justus Annunen

Injuries and Scratches: Justin Barron (UBI), Zachary L’Heureux (LBI), Nick Perbix (UBI), Cole Smith (UBI), Ozzy Wiesblatt (UBI)

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