Nikolaj Ehlers returns to whence he came on Friday night as the Carolina Hurricanes , (13-5-2) travel to Winnipeg the take on the Jets, (12-7-0). Game time is set for 8 P.M. Eastern and the game will be back on FanDuel Sports along with homeboys, Tripp Tracy and Mike Maniscalco.
Ehlers was originally drafted by the Jets and has only played for that franchise before being signed by Carolina this offseason. Look for a nice video tribute for him.
The big news out of Winnipeg this morning is that star goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck will be out and will undergo minor knee surgery.
Expect Eric Comrie to take his place between the pipes tonight. Comrie is no slouch and is boasting a 4-1-0 record with a SV% of .908 and a GAA of 2.60.
The Jets are led by Mark Scheifele who has 11 goals and 27 points in his 19 games played this season.
Josh Morrisey is their standout on the blueline.
The former Thrashers have won two games in a row and they are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games.
The Canes are coming off an overtime loss in Minnesota. They have posted a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 and now sit at first place in the Metropolitan Division.
I would expect Pyotr Kochetkov to be in goal for Carolina tonight. Kochetkov has been hot since returning from injury and has a 4-0-0 record with a SV% of .926 and GAA of 1.70.
But I suppose there is always a chance that coach could go with Brandon Bussi.
The Canes are led by Sebastian Aho who has 8 goals and 19 points in 20 games this season.
Aho is followed closely by Seth Jarvis who has 10 goals and 17 points.
Rookie, Alexander Nikishin continues to lead the team in plus/minus with a (plus) +14.
Look for the same lines as the Hurricanes posted on Wednesday night, although this is always subject to change.
Jarvis – Aho – Svechnikov
Blake – Stankoven – Ehlers
Martinook – Staal – Carrier
Hall – Jankowski – Robinson
There has been no official word yet from the team about the return of injured players, Jalen Chatfield and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, but Chatfield has been skating with the team and could return to action tonight.
Score another win for Carolina’s scouting staff. One of their second round picks, Charlie Cerrato, is tearing it up in the NCAA. He is currently third in the NCAA with 20 points in 14 games.
The team recently posted an update on prospects.
Prospect report – https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/prospect-report-cerrato-s-still-hot-unger-sorum-s-stepping-forward
Finally, fans of former Carolina first round pick Haydn Fleury might be able to see him tonight. He is scoreless in 15 games for Winnipeg.
