Rangers and Hurricanes Prepare for Showdown: Projected Lineups and Game Preview

The New York Rangers are set to face off against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on FDSNSO and MSG 2. Here's a look at the projected lineups and what to expect from this matchup.

Rangers' Projected Lineup

Despite a tough season so far, the Rangers are coming off a 3-2 victory against the St. Louis Blues, snapping a four-game losing streak. However, they face injury challenges with key players sidelined.

The projected lineup for the Rangers is as follows:

• Forwards:
  • Artemi Panarin — Vincent Trocheck — Jonny Brodzinski
  • Will Cuylle — Mika Zibanejad – Alexis Lafreniere
  • Conor Sheary — Noah Laba — Brett Berard
  • Adam Edstrom — Sam Carrick — Taylor Raddysh
• Defense:
  • Vladislav Gavrikov — Adam Fox
  • Carson Soucy — Braden Schneider
  • Urho Vaakanainen — Matthew Robertson
• Goalies:
  • Igor Shesterkin
  • Dylan Garand

Juuso Parssinen is expected to be scratched. The Rangers' injury list includes Jonathan Quick (lower body), J.T. Miller (upper body), Will Borgen (upper body), and Matt Rempe (upper body). Miller and Borgen's availability will be a game-time decision, according to reports from the optional morning skate. Igor Shesterkin is expected to start in net with Jonathan Quick on injured reserve.

Hurricanes' Projected Lineup

The Carolina Hurricanes, with a 14-6-2 record, are looking to start their homestand strong after returning from a four-game road trip. They are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Here's the Hurricanes' projected lineup:

• Forwards:
  • Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Seth Jarvis
  • Nikolaj Ehlers — Logan Stankoven — Jackson Blake
  • William Carrier — Mark Jankowski — Jordan Martinook
  • Taylor Hall — Justin Robidas — Eric Robinson
• Defense:
  • K'Andre Miller — Sean Walker
  • Shayne Gostisbehere — Jalen Chatfield
  • Alexander Nikishin — Joel Nystrom
• Goalies:
  • Frederik Andersen
  • Brandon Bussi

Mike Reilly is expected to be scratched. The Hurricanes' injury list is considerable, including Jordan Staal (illness), Jaccob Slavin (lower body), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (lower body), Pyotr Kochetkov (undisclosed), and Charles-Alexis Legault (hand). Jordan Staal is doubtful for the game, and Justin Robidas is expected to make his NHL debut after being recalled from the Chicago of the American Hockey League. Frederik Andersen is slated to start in goal.

Key Matchups and Game Notes

• This is the second game between the Rangers and Hurricanes this season, with Carolina winning the first matchup 3-0 at MSG on November 4th.
• K'Andre Miller will be playing his first game against his former team, the New York Rangers. He played for the Rangers from 2020-2025.
• Sebastian Aho is set to play his 700th career NHL game tonight.
• Eric Robinson is nearing his 100th game as a Hurricane, while Jordan Martinook is close to his 100th career goal.
• Nikolaj Ehlers is also approaching a milestone, being four games away from his 700th NHL game.
• The Rangers have been struggling to score goals this season.
• Igor Shesterkin has a .915 save percentage on the road, which is tied for second-best among NHL goalies.

With injuries and lineup adjustments on both sides, this game promises to be a compelling contest between two Metropolitan Division rivals.