Game Preview: Wild versus Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes return home for a two-game series at the Lenovo Center, facing off against Minnesota and Buffalo after a road trip to the northeast.
Recent Hurricanes Performance
On Tuesday, the Canes secured a solid victory against the struggling New York Rangers. Nikolaj Ehlers scored his first goal as a Hurricane, capitalizing on a power play opportunity. Carolina controlled the second and third periods, limiting the Rangers to only one shot in the final frame. Pyotr Kochetkov recorded a 26-save shutout in his season debut, managing this feat despite the Hurricanes’ depleted defense.
Minnesota Wild Season Overview
The Wild were initially considered a bubble playoff team but have faced difficulties early in the season. After winning two of their first three games, Minnesota managed just one victory in their last nine games of October. They snapped a five-game losing streak on November 1 and recently beat Nashville in overtime.
Power Play Strength
Minnesota’s top strength lies in their power play, which is currently the third-best in the NHL, converting on 31.5% of opportunities.
“Led by Kirill Kaprizov, the Wild have the third-best power play in the NHL, converting on 31.5 percent of their opportunities.”
Key Players
- Kirill Kaprizov: Tied for ninth in league scoring with eight goals and ten assists; second in power play goals (5) and points (9).
- Matt Boldy
- Marco Rossi
- Marcus Johansson
Boldy, Rossi, and Johansson have also reached double-digit points this season, contributing to Minnesota’s offensive efforts.
Author's summary: The Hurricanes aim to capitalize on their recent momentum and strong defense against a Wild team relying heavily on a powerful top line and one of the NHL’s best power plays.