NHL Game Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals with Line Combinations 12/20/2024

Martin Necas #88 skating for the Carolina Hurricanes
Photo via NHL.com

Carolina Hurricanes (20-10-1, 41 pts) at Washington Capitals (21-8-2, 44 pts)
Venue: Capital One Arena
Date: Friday, December 20
Time: 7:00 pm EST

TV: ESPN + / FDSS / MNMT
Radio:
Carolina Hurricanes – The Fan 99.9 FM
Washington Capitals – WJFK 106.7 FM / WFED 1500 AM

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 ML -130
Washington Capitals +1.5 ML +120
O/U 5.5

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Carolina Hurricanes News & Notes:

The Hurricanes have won two in a row since being shut out 3-0 by the Ottawa Senators. Carolina sits third in the Metropolitan Division, three points behind second-place Washington. The Canes have a 9-2-1 record within the division as they gear up for a huge matchup of two of the top teams in the league. The Hurricanes won the first battle between these two clubs 4-2 on November 3.

Washington Capitals News & Notes:

Washington has lost two straight after winning four in a row and will try to end their losing streak tonight. The Capitals are 9-4-2 at home this season but are 2-2-1 in their last five home games. Washington is 8-4-0 against the Metropolitan Division and is a sparkling 20-1-1 when they score three or more goals. Alex Ovechkin looks like he will return to the lineup on Monday against the Bruins in Boston.

Carolina Hurricanes Projected Lines:

Robinson-Aho-Jarvis
Svechnikov-Kotkaniemi-Necas
Carrier-Staal-Martinook
Blake-Jost-Roslovic

Slavin-Burns
Orlov-Chatfield
Gostisbehere-Walker

Kochetkov
Tokarski

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Washington Capitals Projected Lines:

Mangiapane-Strome-Wilson
McMichael-Dubois-Protas
Vrana-Eller-Raddysh
Duhaime-Dowd-Miroshnichenko

Sandin-Carlson
Fehervary-Roy
Chychrun-van Riemsdyk

Lindgren
Thompson

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Players To Watch:

Carolina Hurricanes

Winger Martin Necas is getting most of the headlines in Carolina and rightly so, as the 25-year-old is having a spectacular season, but Sebastian Aho has been the steady driving force of the Carolina offense for almost a decade. Aho is second on the Canes in scoring behind only Necas with 33 points (9g, 24a) in 31 games. The 27-year-old Fin is on pace for another 80+ point season, which would be the fourth of his career. Against the Capitals a year ago Aho had five goals and three assists in four games.

Washington Capitals

2019 first-round pick Connor McMichael is in the midst of a breakout season, the 23-year-old Ajax, Ontario native has 15 goals and 12 assists through 31 games and is on pace for a 71-point season which would shatter his career high of 33 points set a season ago. McMichael is second on the Caps in scoring, trailing only Dylan Strome and is tied with Alex Ovechkin for the team lead in goals.

Injury Report:

Carolina Hurricanes

G Frederik Anderson – OUT
C Jack Drury – IR
D Joakim Ryan – IR
D Riley Stillman – IR (Non-Roster)
RW Jesper Fast – LTIR

Washington Capitals

LW Alex Ovechkin – IR
LW Sonny Milano – IR
RW TJ Oshie – LTIR
C Nicklas Backstrom – LTIR

Next Game:

Carolina Hurricanes – December 22 at New York Rangers
Washington Capitals – December 22 vs. Los Angeles Kings

Season 4. Episode 31. The Draft Lottery Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- What does Don Sweeney's ideal draft pick look like?- Would Wyatt Johnston develop into this type of player if he were drafted by Boston?- Hypothetical Trade Swayman for Hellebuyck? Would you do it?- Jim Montgomery with another team collapse. Trend?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 31. The Draft Lottery
  2. Season 4. Episode 30. The Bruins Are Watching The Playoffs
  3. Season 4. Episode 29. The Offseason Begins.
  4. Season 4. Episode 28. A Major Announcement
  5. Season 4. Episode 27. Losing, It's Called Bruins.


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