As the Carolina Hurricanes prepare to face off against the Anaheim Ducks, the team is anticipated to start veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen. Andersen returns after a brief respite, during which rookie Brandon Bussi made his NHL debut by leading the Canes to victory over the San Jose Sharks. This matchup marks a return to the Ducks for Andersen, who began his NHL career with the organization.
Anaheim Game: Starting Lineup Revealed for October 16
Andersen, 36, has had a strong start to the season, winning his first two games against the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers. However, the Hurricanes will be missing key defender Jaccob Slavin, who is sidelined with a lower-body injury. Coach Rod Brind’Amour indicated that Slavin will be out for an extended period.
Forwards and Defense Adjustments
With Slavin absent, the Hurricanes will have to adjust their lineup. Mark Jankowski, who performed well in faceoffs, may continue to fill in for Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Jankowski won 73% of his faceoffs in the season’s opening games and received positive feedback from Brind’Amour. Forward pairings have also seen changes, with Taylor Hall and Andrei Svechnikov switching lines during Tuesday’s game.
Projected Lineup for Tonight’s Game
- Forwards:
- Ehlers – Aho – Jarvis
- Hall/Svechnikov – Stankoven – Blake
- Martinook – Staal – Carrier
- Robinson – Jankowski – Hall/Svechnikov
- Defense:
- Miller – Walker
- Nikishin – Gostisbehere
- Reilly – Chatfield
- Goaltenders:
- Frederik Andersen
- Backup: Brandon Bussi
Injury Report
- Pyotr Kochetkov: Lower-body injury, out until at least October 18
- Jaccob Slavin: Lower-body injury, no return timetable
Power Play Units
| Power Play Unit | Players |
|---|---|
| PP1 | Aho, Ehlers, Jarvis, Svechnikov, Gostisbehere |
| PP2 | Blake, Hall, Stankoven, Miller, Walker |
As the Hurricanes gear up for this game, adjustments to the lineup will be key for their continued success. With the absence of Slavin and other injury challenges, the team’s depth will be tested against the Ducks on October 16.
