Who: Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-0, 2 points) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2-0, 6 points)
When: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Sportsnet Pittsburgh and Bally Sports South will broadcast the game in local markets, while NHL Network will showcase it nationally in the United States.
Pens’ Path Ahead: The Penguins are set to embark on a road trip for a Sunday afternoon game at Winnipeg, starting at 3 p.m., before continuing to face Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver on their lengthy journey that will last until next Saturday. On a brighter note, the Penguins will enjoy their first two-day break of the season on October 23-24 (next Wednesday-Thursday), allowing for some team bonding and a welcome pause from the busy early schedule.
Opponent Track: Carolina has only played two games so far this season, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Tampa last week before bouncing back to win 4-2 against New Jersey in their latest outing. Their limited games are partly due to a postponement caused by an actual hurricane during a match with Tampa. With the State Fair taking place in Raleigh, the hockey team will be hitting the road for the next 13 days starting tonight.
Season Series: Fortunately for the Penguins, the 2024-25 season features only three matchups between Pittsburgh and Carolina instead of the usual four. (In the current scheduling format, NHL teams play two divisional rivals three times a year and the remaining five divisional teams four times). The scheduling pace is also unusual, as the Penguins will play in Carolina a few weeks later on November 7th, followed by another game in North Carolina on January 5th, effectively wrapping up their season series early.
Hidden Stat: According to Pens PR, eight of the last eleven encounters between Pittsburgh and Carolina have been decided by just one goal.
Getting to know the Hurricanes
Projected lines
FORWARDS
Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis
Jack Roslovic – Jesper Kotkaniemi – Martin Necas
Jordan Martinook – Jordan Staal – William Carrier
Eric Robinson – Jack Drury – Jackson Blake
DEFENSEMEN
Jaccob Slavin /Brent Burns
Shayne Gostisbehere /Sean Walker
Dmitri Orlov / Jalen Chatfield
Goalies: Pyotr Kochetkov or Frederik Andersen
Possible scratches: none
IR: Jesper Fast, Riley Stillman
—Recently, Carolina waived forward Brendan Lemieux and defenseman Joakim Ryan, sending them to the AHL, resulting in a depleted roster just before their lengthy road trip.
—There has been significant turnover in Carolina lately; four of last season’s top ten scorers have left (Teravainen, Skjei, Noesen, Bunting). Along with other departures including Jake Guentzel, Brett Pesce, Antti Raanta, and Evgeni Kuznetsov, the Hurricanes are navigating through a period of transformation.
with their fair share of transitions recently.
Player Stats
(via hockeydb)
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—It’s quite an amusing early season scenario when the leading scorer for the opposing team has only a single point.
—Just earlier this week, 21-year-old top prospect Jackson Blake celebrated his first NHL goal. The positive aspect for Carolina is that their strong developmental system allows them to retain many promising young talents even while making additions at the trade deadline.
Next up: The Penguins
Infographic provided by the Pittsburgh Penguins
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Projected Lines
FORWARDS
Anthony Beauvillier - Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Michael Bunting - Evgeni Malkin – Rickard Rakell
Drew O’Connor – Lars Eller – Jesse Puljujarvi
Kevin Hayes – Cody Glass - Noel Acciari
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk / Kris Letang
Marcus Petter
Ryan Graves / Jack St. Ivany
Goalies: Joel Blomqvist or Tristan Jarry
Potential Scratches: Ryan Shea, Valtteri Puustinen, Alex Nedeljkovic (conditioning assignment AHL)
IR: Matt Nieto (knee surgery), Blake Lizotte, Vasily Ponomarev
—The Pens took a break yesterday during this lengthy game stretch. We will have to wait and see if they plan any changes, such as reinserting Shea into the lineup or deciding on the goaltending situation. This would be a crucial matchup for Joel Blomqvist to demonstrate his skills against formidable opponents.
Misters Overtime
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From the Pens:
On Wednesday, the Penguins wrapped up a remarkable night as Sidney Crosby scored his 21st career overtime goal, thanks to assists from two notable overtime specialists, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson. Crosby’s 21st overtime goal ranks second in NHL history, behind only Alex Ovechkin’s 26 goals. This goal also marked his franchise record 91st career game-winning goal, tying him with Wayne Gretzky and Mark Recchi for 21st place in NHL history.
With his 45 career overtime points, Crosby holds the record for the most in NHL history. Additionally, Malkin’s assist during Wednesday’s game grants him the most overtime assists ever recorded in the NHL. The seasoned Pittsburgh duo, alongside Karlsson, are all among the top five in NHL history for both overtime assists and points:
Most Overtime Assists, NHL History:
Player OTA
Evgeni Malkin 28
Patrick Kane 27
Erik Karlsson 26
Ryan Getzlaf 25
Sidney Crosby 24Most Overtime Points, NHL History:
Player OTP
Sidney Crosby 45
Evgeni Malkin 41
Alex Ovechkin 40
Patrick Kane 39
Erik Karlsson 37
Everybody pitch in
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From the Pens again:
Through their first five games of the season, the Penguins have achieved an NHL-high of 20 goals, resulting in an impressive average of 4.00 goals per game. This average ties them for fourth place in the league, trailing only the New York Rangers (5.00), Calgary Flames (4.75), and Vegas Golden Knights (4.25). Notably, Pittsburgh has 12 distinct goal scorers on its roster this season, which matches the NHL record for the most unique players scoring:
Leading the team is Rickard Rakell, who has netted three goals and is currently on a three-game scoring streak. This marks the longest scoring run he has had as a Penguin, and with another goal tomorrow, he could match the third-longest scoring streak of his career:
Longest Goal Streaks, Rakell’s Career:
Dates Streak Goals
Dec. 21, 2017-Jan. 2, 2018 6 7
Feb. 25-Mar. 8, 2018 5 8
Mar. 10-17, 2017 4 4
Oct. 12, 2024-Present 3 3
Rakell experienced his best seasons during 2017 and 2018; thus far, he has made an impressive start this season to move past last year’s challenges and consistently find the back of the net.
The achievement of 12 different players scoring in just five games is also noteworthy. The Penguins have effectively managed to spread their offensive contributions throughout the lineup so far.
Game Preview: Carolina Hurricanes Face Off Against Pittsburgh Penguins
Match Overview
The upcoming matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins promises to be an electrifying clash in the NHL. Both teams are known for their competitive spirit and skill on the ice, making this game a must-watch for hockey fans. With the season heating up, every point counts, and this game could have significant implications for playoff positioning.
Key Game Details
| Date | Time | Venue | TV Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 23, 2023 | 7:00 PM ET | PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC | ESPN+ |
Team Performance Overview
As of now, both the Hurricanes and the Penguins are experiencing distinct paths in the current NHL season.
Carolina Hurricanes
- Current Record: 5-2-1
- Last Game Result: Win against the NY Islanders, 4-2
- Top Scorer: Sebastian Aho (7 goals, 9 assists)
The Hurricanes are showing strong offensive capabilities and a solid defensive lineup. With players like Aho leading the charge, they have demonstrated their ability to score and maintain puck possession.
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Current Record: 4-3-1
- Last Game Result: Loss to the Washington Capitals, 3-1
- Top Scorer: Sidney Crosby (5 goals, 8 assists)
The Penguins have had a mixed start to the season. Despite being one of the most formidable teams in the league, inconsistency has plagued their performances. However, Crosby’s leadership and skill continue to make them a threat on the ice.
Tactical Analysis
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both teams can provide insight into how this game might unfold.
Hurricanes’ Strategy
- Fast Transition Play: The Hurricanes excel at quick transitions from defense to offense, utilizing their speed to catch opponents off-guard.
- Effective Power Play: Converting on the power play has been a strong suit for Carolina, capitalizing on opportunities when they arise.
- Physical Play: With players like Jordan Staal, expect a physical presence that can wear down the opposition.
Penguins’ Strategy
- Experience and Leadership: With veteran players like Crosby and Malkin, the Penguins rely on their experience in high-pressure situations.
- Strong Defensive Core: Pittsburgh’s defense has shown resilience, often limiting shots on goal against their netminder.
- Special Teams Focus: The Penguins have been focusing on their penalty kill this season, which will be crucial against Carolina’s power play.
Players to Watch
Each team boasts standout players who could significantly impact the game.
Carolina Hurricanes
- Sebastian Aho: Aho’s ability to create scoring opportunities makes him a focal point for Carolina.
- Andrei Svechnikov: Known for his scoring prowess, Svechnikov is a player to watch for potential highlight-reel goals.
- Frederik Andersen: The goaltending performance of Andersen will be key in keeping the Penguins at bay.
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Sidney Crosby: Always a threat on the ice, Crosby’s presence is crucial for Pittsburgh’s offensive play.
- Evgeni Malkin: Known for his playmaking abilities, Malkin can change the outcome of the game single-handedly.
- Tristan Jarry: The goaltender’s performance will play a significant role in determining the Penguins’ success in this matchup.
Historical Context
The rivalry between the Hurricanes and Penguins has a rich history filled with memorable moments and intense matchups. Here are some notable statistics:
| Season | Matchup Result | Goals (Hurricanes) | Goals (Penguins) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Hurricanes 3 – 2 Penguins | 3 | 2 |
| 2021-2022 | Penguins 5 – 1 Hurricanes | 1 | 5 |
| 2020-2021 | Hurricanes 4 – 3 Penguins | 4 | 3 |
Practical Tips for Watching the Game
To make the most of your viewing experience, consider the following tips:
- Join a Viewing Party: Gather friends or join a local pub that’s showing the game for an enjoyable atmosphere.
- Follow Live Stats: Use apps or websites to follow live stats and updates during the game for an interactive experience.
- Engage on Social Media: Participate in discussions on platforms like Twitter or Facebook to connect with other fans.
- Prepare Snacks: Have your favorite game-day snacks ready to enhance your viewing experience.
Conclusion
As the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to face off, fans can expect a high-stakes battle filled with skill, strategy, and excitement. Be sure to tune in on October 23, 2023, to catch all the action!
