Hurricanes Set for Matchup Against Canadiens as Svechnikov Returns

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Montreal Canadiens tonight at 7 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center, hoping to bounce back from a recent loss. This game marks the return of Andrei Svechnikov, who has been sidelined for seven games due to an upper-body injury.

Svechnikov’s comeback is pivotal for the Hurricanes, as he currently ranks third on the team with 43 points this season. He sustained his injury on March 9 during a game against the Winnipeg Jets. After practicing on his own, Svechnikov participated in the morning skate alongside teammates Eric Robinson and Mark Jankowski. Coach Rod Brind’Amour noted that the forward will likely rotate within the lineup as he adjusts back to game speed.

The Canadiens approach tonight’s matchup following a tough 6-4 defeat against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. They did not hold a morning skate ahead of the game. Montreal will be without defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who is recovering from a quad injury.

Both teams have released their projected lineups, with significant players expected to impact the game. For Montreal, the top line features Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky. Other notable forwards include Patrik Laine and Brendan Gallagher.

On defense, the Canadiens will look to Mike Matheson and Alexandre Carrier for strong performances, while Sam Montembeault is expected to start in goal.

The Hurricanes, on the other hand, are expected to have Frederik Andersen in net, coming off five consecutive victories. Andersen currently boasts a record of 11-5-0 with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. His recent performance includes a standout 35-save game against the Anaheim Ducks.

The team’s forward lineup includes Jackson Blake, Sebastian Aho, and Seth Jarvis in the top trio, with Taylor Hall and Jesperi Kotkaniemi also contributing to the offensive efforts.

As the puck drops at 7:00 p.m. ET, fans will be eager to see how Svechnikov’s return and each team’s adjustments will unfold on the ice.