Carolina Hurricanes Aim for 15th Victory Against Columbus Blue Jackets

The Carolina Hurricanes are set to conclude a three-game road trip with a matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The game, scheduled for Saturday evening, will see Pyotr Kochetkov return as the starting goaltender for the Hurricanes. Kochetkov, 25, has demonstrated strong performance in his role, achieving a record of 10-2-0 with a .907 save percentage across 12 appearances this season. His rapid ascent in the league places him as the second-fastest goaltender to secure ten wins, trailing only Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.

In preparation for the game, the Hurricanes made adjustments to their lineup. Forward Andrei Svechnikov resumed his position alongside Sebastian Aho and Jack Roslovic during the morning skate. Previously, Svechnikov was paired with Jordan Staal and William Carrier in a mid-game shift during their recent victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. This tactical change has brought Jordan Martinook back to the role, who has demonstrated impressive form with nine points over the last nine games, ranking second in team scoring for November after Martin Necas.

On the injury front, the team continues to face challenges. They are expected to be without forward Seth Jarvis, who is recovering from an upper-body injury. Jarvis has missed the last six games, and although head coach Rod Brind'Amour hinted that he might join the team during this road trip, Jarvis was absent from the ice at today’s practice session. A further update on his condition is anticipated on Monday before the Hurricanes’ home game against the Dallas Stars.

The Hurricanes, with a 14-5-0 record, are leading the Eastern Conference and look to secure their 15th win of the season. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, are coming into the matchup with momentum after a victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The betting odds for the match, as provided by Fanatics Sportsbook, favor the Hurricanes with a -250 line. As both teams prepare to face off, the anticipated lineups for the Hurricanes include: Svechnikov, Aho, and Roslovic leading the first line; while Kochetkov is expected to protect the net.