Preview: October 11 vs. Tampa Bay

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes kick off their 27th season in North Carolina as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Lenovo Center.

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When: Friday, October 11

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN+, Hulu

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Odds at Time of Publishing, via Fanatics Sportsbook: Canes -135

Last Game

• A lineup largely comprised of prospects and professional tryouts put together a strong performance last Saturday to close out the preseason, beating a mostly-NHL lineup for the Nashville Predators in the Music City.
• Frederik Andersen was exceptional, making 29 saves on 31 shots faced in two periods of work.

FredEx Delivers

• Entering his fourth season as a member of the club, Andersen has totaled a record of 69-27-4 with a 2.22 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.
• Of all NHL goalies who have played at least 100 games over the last three seasons, "Zilla" and his .918 save percentage rank fourth, trailing only Linus Ullmark (.924), Igor Shesterkin (.922), and Ilya Sorokin (.919).

Pyotr's Here

• After two-plus seasons of waiting in the wings, Pyotr Kochetkov is finally a full-time NHLer from the start of the season.
• The team's second round draft pick in 2019, "PK" was named to the NHL's All-Rookie team in June after going 23-13-4 in a team-leading 42 games last season.

Between The Pipes

• When asked on Thursday, Rod Brind'Amour declined to say which of Andersen or Kochetkov he'd go with in net for tonight's game.

In Rod We Trust

• The Canes begin their seventh season with Brind'Amour behind the bench, eyeing up a seventh consecutive playoff berth.
• Carolina is 278-130-44 under Brind'Amour, accumulating 600 points, the third-most among all NHL teams during that time.

Setting The Tone At Home

• The Canes have won their last five season openers (2019-23), and they are undefeated in regulation (6-0-2) in their last eight contests (2016-23), marking the longest streak of season-opening games with a point in franchise history.

The New Guys

• Carolina’s opening night roster includes five players - William Carrier, Shayne Gostisbehere, Eric Robinson, Jack Roslovic, and Sean Walker who joined the Hurricanes organization during the 2024 offseason.

Shake & Blake

• Jackson Blake was the only rookie out of training camp to make the Hurricanes’ opening night roster. He had a goal and an assist in four games this preseason.
• Last year, he played for the University of North Dakota, posting 60 points (22g, 38a) in 40 NCAA games, the most by a North Dakota skater since 2000-01.

Injury Updates

• Forward Jesper Fast was ruled out for the 2024-25 season in August after having neck surgery.
• Defenseman Riley Stillman (lower-body injury) has worked in a no-contact sweater each day of training camp thus far.
• Defenseman Joakim Ryan (undisclosed) has not practiced since last Monday. Rod Brind'Amour said that he is battling an injury and that there's no need to push him through it this time of year.
• Forward Brendan Lemieux (undisclosed) suffered an injury during the team's exhibition finale and will be "out for a little while."

What Are We Wearing?

• The team will be wearing their black sweaters tonight. To view the team's full 2024-25 uniform schedule, click here.

Giveaway Info

• All fans in attendance tonight will receive a hat giveaway courtesy of Lenovo.

Broadcast Info

• John Buccigross and Ryan Callahan will have the call for ESPN+/Hulu tonight. Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy will be broadcasting on 99.9 The Fan.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes are scheduled to fly to Tampa immediately post-game, as they take on the same Lightning on Saturday.
• Next Game: Saturday, October 12 at Tampa Bay | Bally Sports South
• Next Home Game: Tuesday, October 15 vs. New Jersey | FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT presented by Celito | Tickets | Parking