Projected Lineup: January 17 at New Jersey – Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes will start veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen when they visit the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Jan. 17 in Newark, N.J. Andersen has helped Carolina collect three of four possible points across his last two starts and faced New Jersey once this season, stopping 19 of 22 shots in a 6-3 opening-night win. The lineup remains largely unchanged after the Canes tied a team record with nine goals in their win over Florida the night before. Several players remain sidelined with lower-body and other injuries, though Jaccob Slavin is set to play both nights of a back-to-back for the first time this season as he continues rehab from a previous lower-body issue.

Key Takeaways

• Frederik Andersen is the expected starter in net for Carolina on Jan. 17 in Newark; he saved 19 of 22 shots in the teams’ opening-night 6-3 meeting this season.
• Andersen has been part of a stretch that produced three of four possible points across his last two starts, stabilizing the crease recently.
• Jaccob Slavin will skate in both games of a back-to-back for the first time this season after missing 29 games earlier while rehabbing a lower-body injury.
• Shayne Gostisbehere (lower-body) is listed day-to-day and William Carrier (lower-body) has resumed skating as of Jan. 15 but remains unavailable.
• Pyotr Kochetkov is recovering from hip surgery and was described as likely out for the year as of Dec. 29; Charles Alexis Legault is out 3–4 months from Nov. 11.
• Carolina’s forward group that posted nine goals against Florida remains intact; Joel Nystrom is a healthy scratch for the trip.
• Power-play alignment: PP1 features Aho, Ehlers (Staal), Jarvis and Svechnikov with Nikishin; PP2 lists Blake, Hall, Jankowski and Stankoven with Miller.
• Jordan Staal assumes the faceoff responsibilities for the first power-play unit and typically stays on the ice if he wins the draw, yielding to Nikolaj Ehlers when play exits the zone.

Background

The Hurricanes enter their Jan. 17 meeting with the Devils after a high-scoring game the previous night in which Carolina matched a franchise record with nine goals. That offensive explosion illustrated the club’s depth up front, but also masked a roster still affected by injuries to several depth players and a backup goaltender situation complicated by Pyotr Kochetkov’s hip surgery. The club has relied on Frederik Andersen and recalls to plug gaps while injured players recover.

Jaccob Slavin’s availability for both games of a back-to-back marks a key step in his return timetable. Slavin missed 29 games earlier in the season for a lower-body issue; coaching staff and medical personnel have been cautious about spacing his minutes to manage workload and reconditioning. Rod Brind’Amour’s decision to keep Slavin in the lineup for the second game signals increased confidence in his durability.

Main Event

Carolina’s projected forward lines for the New Jersey game are Svechnikov–Aho–Jarvis, Hall–Stankoven–Blake, Ehlers–Staal–Martinook, and Robinson–Jankowski–Kotkaniemi. The defensive pairs are Slavin–Chatfield, Miller–Walker, and Reilly–Nikishin. With Andersen slated to start, the Hurricanes intend to lean on his recent form as they attempt to secure points on the road.

Injuries shape the night’s roster decisions. William Carrier (lower-body) has resumed skating as of Jan. 15 but is not yet cleared to play; Shayne Gostisbehere remains day-to-day with a lower-body issue. Pyotr Kochetkov is recovering from hip surgery and was described as likely out for the season as of Dec. 29, removing one depth option from the crease picture. Charles Alexis Legault is sidelined for 3–4 months from Nov. 11 with a hand injury, and Noah Philp remains in concussion protocol with no timetable for return.

Special teams are a focal point. The coaching staff has set two power-play configurations: the first unit pairs Aho, Ehlers (with Staal on the faceoff role), Jarvis and Svechnikov with Nikishin at the point; the second unit pairs Blake, Hall, Jankowski and Stankoven with Miller. Jordan Staal’s role on PP1 is tactical—he starts on faceoffs and typically jumps off after a successful draw to allow Ehlers to take over positional responsibility when play exits the zone.

Analysis & Implications

Starting Andersen gives the Hurricanes experience and steadiness in goal against a Devils team that has shown the ability to produce offense at home. Andersen’s recent run—helping the club to three of four points across two starts—provides the coaching staff with a measurable basis to hand him the crease, while backup depth is constrained by Kochetkov’s recovery timeline.

Slavin’s availability for both halves of a back-to-back should help stabilize Carolina’s top defensive minutes and transition play. His return to fuller duty reduces pressure on the Miller–Walker and Reilly–Nikishin pairs and improves breakout options; that matters in matchups against New Jersey’s aggressive forecheck. Consistent minutes for Slavin also ease load management decisions as the calendar advances toward the playoff race.

Offensively, maintaining the same forward lines that produced a nine-goal night retains continuity and rewards recent chemistry. The presence of two clearly defined power-play sets allows Carolina to deploy matchup-based personnel and manage fatigue across units. Jordan Staal’s specialized faceoff role on PP1 signals a situational approach meant to sustain zone time rather than serve as a permanent power-play forward.

On the flip side, the list of injured players limits call-up flexibility and could strain secondary scoring if any additional absences occur. The team’s short-term success will depend on Andersen’s form, Slavin’s sustained participation, and the secondary forwards continuing to support the top-six production established the previous night.

Comparison & Data

The table highlights how goaltending form, defensive availability, and recent offensive output intersect. Andersen’s single-game numbers against New Jersey provide a small-sample datapoint; his recent point haul across two starts is a more useful short-term indicator of performance. Slavin’s restored minutes materially change pairings and matchup planning, while ongoing absences limit roster depth and stunt recovery flexibility for the coaching staff.

Reactions & Quotes

He will remain in tonight’s lineup, and that’s a good step in his progression back to full duty.

Rod Brind’Amour, Head Coach (pre-game comment reported by NHL.com)

Andersen’s recent starts have given the team a reliable option in net while other pieces get healthier.

Team staff summary cited by NHL.com preview

Unconfirmed

• Whether Pyotr Kochetkov will officially be ruled out for the entire season remains contingent on medical updates beyond the Dec. 29 characterization of him as likely out for the year.
• William Carrier has resumed skating as of Jan. 15 but has not been officially cleared for game action; a return date is not confirmed.
• Noah Philp’s recovery progress in concussion protocol has no publicly announced timetable and could affect late-season depth if recovery is prolonged.

Bottom Line

The Hurricanes will rely on Frederik Andersen to start in net and expect Jaccob Slavin to provide a stabilizing presence by playing both games of a back-to-back for the first time this season. The forward group that posted nine goals the previous night remains intact, preserving offensive continuity for the trip to New Jersey. Persistent injuries to depth players and the long-term absence of Pyotr Kochetkov mean Carolina must manage minutes carefully and rely on short-term form from Andersen and the top defensive pairings to secure results.

Watch for how the coaching staff deploys power-play units and shifts defensive minutes: those decisions will indicate how much trust the staff places in returning players and will shape Carolina’s ability to sustain success while navigating a condensed stretch of the schedule.

Sources

• Projected Lineup: January 17 at New Jersey — Official preview / NHL.com