The Carolina Hurricanes are red hot at 5-0-0 entering tonight's matchup, compared to a Columbus Blue Jackets squad who has stumbled to 1-3-0.
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5–0–0 (10 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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7 P.M. – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 PNC ARENA RALEIGH, NC. |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS GO |
The Blue Jackets are most recently coming off of a tight defeat to the Anaheim Ducks and will be looking to end Carolina's unbeaten streak, while trying to avoid back-to-back losses again.
Elvis Merzlikins could potentially receive his second start of the season, and if so, will be looking to set the record straight of his reputation after a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins last Saturday. However, John Tortorella could be hesitant to throw his rookie goaltender to the wolves again - and after only forfeiting two goals on Friday night, it could be Korpisalo's net again.
Columbus will see a familiar face in Ryan Dzingel - who signed with the Hurricanes in the offseason - and has also recorded four points in five games for Carolina.
Here's a look at tonight's projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
Forwards
Nyquist–Dubois–Atkinson
Texier–Wennberg–Bjorkstrand
Foligno–Jenner–Bemstrom
Milano–Nash–Lilja
Defensemen
Werenski–Jones
Murray–Nutivaara
Gavrikov–Savard
Goaltender: TBD
Extras: Harrington, Kukan, Hannikainen
Storylines
- Defense. With Carolina coming into tonight's game red hot, the Columbus defense needs to step up by limiting high-scoring opportunities and breakdowns in their own zone.
- Endurance. Both the Blue Jackets and the Hurricanes played last night, so both teams will be looking for an early edge. As the game goes on, however, both teams will feel fatigued set in, and it will be the team that is able to produce energy at the end that could have the upper-hand.
- Bury Your Chances. After a tough loss to the Ducks on Friday night where the club only scored one goal, the entire Blue Jacket team will be looking to find the back of the net early and often against Carolina, which will be a tough task against Petz Mrazek and James Reimer, who are both undefeated on the season.
