The Carolina Hurricanes are riding high as they embark on their six-game Western road trip, maintaining their perfect start to the season following a convincing 4-1 victory against the Anaheim Ducks. This win secures the Hurricanes’ spot at the top of the NHL standings as the only undefeated team thus far, boasting a 4-0-0 record. Over their first two games on this trip, Carolina has displayed remarkable dominance, outscoring their opponents, the Ducks and the Sharks, by a staggering 9-2, contributing to their impressive +11 goal differential.
The Hurricanes are looking to extend their winning streak as they face the Los Angeles Kings, who have struggled to find their rhythm with a current record of 1-3-1. This matchup is set to take place Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET on FanDuel Sports Network.
Last night’s game against the Ducks highlighted the stellar performance of Seth Jarvis, who scored twice and assisted on Sebastian Aho’s first goal of the season. Although his fellow linemates, such as Nikolaj Ehlers, are still searching for their first points, Jarvis’s impressive showing has injected excitement into the Hurricanes’ offense.
On the other hand, the Kings faced a disappointing outcome in their recent game against the Penguins, where they squandered a two-goal lead and ultimately fell 4-2. Despite their recent struggles, the Kings have a storied history of strong performances, finishing with over 99 points in each of the last four seasons. However, they find themselves significantly behind the Canes at this early stage of the season, having only accumulated three points.
Both teams have experienced frustrating playoff exits over the past few years, with the Kings having been eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for the last four seasons. However, their current season doesn’t necessarily reflect their potential capabilities. Notably, key players like Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe lead the Kings with five points each, while Anze Kopitar, who has four points in four games, may return against the Hurricanes after sitting out due to injury.
The Kings have shown resilience, securing a high-scoring victory against the Golden Knights and putting up strong competition in losses to the Wild and Jets. With goaltender Darcy Kuemper sidelined due to injury, Anton Forsberg is expected to take the crease, having posted a 3.89 GAA and .867 save percentage in his two appearances this season.
Saturday’s late-night showdown promises to be an exhilarating contest, as both teams aim to make a statement early in the season. The Hurricanes look to continue their winning ways, while the Kings strive for a turnaround to get their campaign back on track.