The Hurricanes look to take full command of the series in Newark.
The Carolina Hurricanes successfully defended home ice in Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal against the New Jersey Devils.
Now, the series shifts to the Prudential Center in Newark, where the Devils are sure to throw the Hurricanes their best shot as they look to avoid falling in a 3-0 hole.
Jordan Martinook provided the heroics on Tuesday night with a game-winning shorthanded goal, and it was Logan Stankoven with a pair of tallies on Sunday to give Carolina a 1-0 series lead.
On both days, though, Frederik Andersen’s performance between the pipes was crucial to securing a win.
Andersen currently leads the playoffs in save percentage.
We would expect head coach Rod Brind’Amour to turn to Andersen again tonight, but Game 4 could be an opportunity for Pyotr Kochetov to work into the mix given the short turnaround time between tonight’s puck drop and Sunday afternoon’s.
Brind’Amour told the media Thursday that “more than likely” the team would roll out the same lineup from the first two contests.
New Jersey head coach Sheldon Keefe was noncommittal as to the status of injured defensemen Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon, noting that neither of them would be ready if the game was yesterday but that time was on their side.
Here’s how to check out the action:
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Location: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ.
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network South with Mike Maniscalco, play-by-play; Tripp Tracy, color analyst; Hanna Yates, in-game reporter; Shane Willis, analyst OR TBS.
- Radio: 99.9 The Fan
- Line: ML: CAR -166; PL: CAR -1.5 +160