The 21-year-old center met the team on their four-game road trip yesterday after being placed in COVID-19 Protocol on Sunday, February 6. He took part in line rushes at morning skate, however, the Rod Brind'Amour said that the coaching staff had yet to make an official decision.
Should Kotkaniemi play, one forward that played in Thursday's victory over Boston would have to come out of the lineup. One of the four on the below listed fourth line will not play.
On the back end, Brendan Smith is expected to be the extra defenseman once again and Frederik Andersen was in the starter's crease.
The expected lineup tonight is:
Forwards:
Teravainen - Aho - Necas
Svechnikov - Trocheck - Jarvis
Niederreiter - Staal - Fast
Martinook - Kotkaniemi* - Stepan - Lorentz
Defensemen:
Slavin - DeAngelo
Skjei - Pesce
Cole - Bear
Starting Goalie:
Andersen
Scratches:
Brendan Smith
Note: Lineup subject to change prior to opening faceoff
Worth A Click:
Preview: Canes at Wild
Canes Reassign Leivo To Chicago
Hurricanes February Schedule
