Merry New Year! Here’s hoping 2026 welcomes each of you with a smile and it brings you health and happiness.
The Hurricanes certainly are hoping to get the year off to a great start as they host Les Habitants
from Montreal. Considering 2026 ending with one of the most listless performances of the season, it’s appropriate that today can mark a fresh start.
In case you forgot thanks to your New Year’s revelries, the last time this Canes squad took the ice was Tuesday Night in a game that was basically over from the puck drop. The 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh was just horrid from start to finish, including a sinking feeling about goalie Frederik Andersen. Once the first goal went in, it seemed as if the team in front of him had just lost any sort of confidence about him.
Carolina will try to bounce back tonight with their now clear number one goalie Brandon Bussi in net. The Canes remarkable find is now 13-1 with a 2.08 GAA and .912 save percentage. He was solid in their overtime win over the Rangers on Monday, and the team in front of him has been playing with the confidence that he can make a crucial save.
There was also some good news in the morning skate as it appears at least one player who has been injured long term is closer to getting back out for a game.
As can be expected following the rough outing on Tuesday mixed with the team still dealing with injuries, the morning skate lines had a few changes to them.
Much is made of the missing Jarvis and Slavin, but the key injury in the short term may be Shayne Gostisbehere. Ghost has taken his game to another level this season, and while he only has four goals, anyone who has watched him on the ice knows that he’s been a huge spark plug on the ice in both the Power Play and in general. His last game before this most recent injury had him with three points against the Red Wings, and his absence the last two games has absolutely been noticeable.
On the other end, the Canadiens have been looking to build off their playoff appearance last season, and have stayed in the hunt in the crowded Atlantic Division. They have points in six straight, and are coming off their own encounter with the Florida Panthers and Brad Marchand. The Panthers won 3-2 in overtime but the reason for the win was an elbow to the head of Mike Matheson delivered by Marchand. He was given a penalty that resulted in the goal, but despite the shot, Marchand won’t face any other discipline.
Surely this decision couldn’t have anything to do with the fact that Florida is due to host the state’s first Winter Classic tomorrow? Nah, of course not, the NHL knows discipline and so of course there’s no conspiracy to make sure one of their known stars is out on the ice.
So while the two organizations have had some back and forth over the last few years, they can bond over the fact that Florida seemingly continues to get away with taking out key players. They won’t commiserate for long, as every point will matter for both squads. That starts in net as the Canadiens have been dealing with a horrid start from their starter last year in Sam Montembeault. It was bad enough to where he was sent to the AHL, but he made his first start after that stint Tuesday—getting the win in Florida. With the Habs facing the same three games in four days stretch—but all on the road—there were decisions in net to be made. The choice for tonight appears to be Jakub Dobes. Dobes hasn’t played since December 21st against the Penguins, but he has stepped up with a 12-5 record and a 2.90 GAA. His save percentage though is under the .900 line at .894, so there’s a chance for the Canes to get off to a fast start against a goalie with some rust on him.
Whenever Montreal is on the ice you’ll want to keep your eye on the top pair of Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield. Expect the Jordan Staal line to be matched up against that top line as those two have combined for 32 goals, and 83 points so far on the season. That said, keep an eye on their second line containing their third and fourth leading goal scorers Juraj Slafkovský and Oliver Kapanen. Yes, Kapanen. He’s a nephew of the former Canes’ great Sami, and cousin to Sami’s son Kasperi. Expect the Aho/Ehlers line to face off against this one, and it should provide for some good bak and forth.
It should be a good battle tonight in Raleigh. If you aren’t going to be in the arena, here’s how to watch:
Time: 7 PM
TV: FanDuel Sports Network. Mike Maniscalco will handle play-by-play alongside Tripp Tracy doing color. Hanna Yates and Shane Willis will provide off-ice reports as well as host pregame starting at 6:30 and postgame that will run for about 30 minutes after the conclusion.
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network App for fans in the Carolinas. Outside of the area, the ESPN app has you covered, for tonight as the game will not be on the NHL Network.
Radio: The pregame on 99.9 The Fan starts at 4:30. At 5PM the Hurricanes Radio Network (consisting of 99.9, 730 The Game in Charlotte, ESPN New Bern 107.5/1490, and ESPN Greenville 107.5/1570) picks up the FDSN feed. You can also stream the call on the Hurricanes app.
Odds: Hurricanes -182 Moneyline, Puckline Hurricanes -1.5 at +136/Jets +150 Moneyline, Puckline +1.5 at -168, O/U 6.5 (+112 Over/-138 Under)
