Hurricanes’ Andersen Set to Return Against Canadiens Tonight

MONTREAL, Canada – Goaltender Frederik Andersen is poised to return to the crease for the Carolina Hurricanes for the first time since February 6, 2025, as they face off against the Montreal Canadiens tonight at 7 p.m. ET.

This matchup marks a crucial moment for Andersen, who boasts a season record of 6-3-0, complemented by a 2.12 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. The veteran netminder is determined to bounce back after suffering losses in his last two games, including a tight outing against the Minnesota Wild where he stopped 22 of 24 shots, with only one goal of support from his team.

“I feel good and ready to help the team win,” Andersen stated in a morning skate interview. “Sometimes you just need to shake things off and get back out there.”

Against the Canadiens, Andersen has a commendable career record of 14-4-2 in 20 games, with a .928 save percentage and two shutouts. In preparation for tonight’s game, head coach Rod Brind’Amour indicated that the Hurricanes would keep the same 18 skaters from their last game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where the team scored three goals in the third period, but ultimately fell short in a 6-3 defeat.

The Hurricanes will employ new line combinations based on adjustments Brind’Amour made during practice. “Just trying some things out to see how they work,” he commented. The lineup includes well-known forwards such as Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Mikko Rantanen, as well as defensemen Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns.

On the other side, the Canadiens are looking to continue their momentum after a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, aiming to secure their second win in a row as they return from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Montreal currently sits seventh in the Atlantic Division, with aspirations to break into Wild Card contention.

Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis highlighted the importance of this game: “Every point matters at this stage. We need everyone to play at their best.” They have projected their expected lineup, featuring notable forwards like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Josh Anderson.

The odds for the game reflect the tight competition, with Carolina being favored at -225, while Montreal stands as +176 underdogs, according to Fanatics Sportsbook. Betting insights suggest a $215 wager on the Hurricanes would yield a $100 profit, while a $100 bet on the Canadiens could garner $176.

Following tonight’s contest, the Canadiens will host the San Jose Sharks, while the Hurricanes look ahead to their next matchup with the Boston Bruins on Thursday.