Preview: April 4 vs. NY Islanders

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes open a weekend back-to-back on Saturday, beginning with a battle against the New York Islanders.

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When: Saturday, April 4

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | Learn More

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

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Canes Record: 48-21-6 (102 Points, 1st - Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 5-1 Win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, April 2

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Islanders Record: 42-30-5 (89 Points, 3rd - Metropolitan Division)

Islanders Last Game: 4-1 Loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday, April 3

Last Time Out...

• The Canes jumped on the Blue Jackets early and never looked back, taking a 5-1 win on Thursday.
• Logan Stankoven scored twice, while Taylor Hall pitched in with a pair of helpers.
• Alexander Nikishin became the first rookie defenseman in franchise history to record a shorthanded goal, and the team's defense matched a franchise record by allowing just 10 shots over 60 minutes.
• Frederik Andersen had an easy night between the pipes, making nine saves to get back in the win column.
• With the win, Carolina became the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff berth.

Season Series vs. NYI...

• Oct. 30: The Canes scored three goals in both the first and third periods en route to a 6-2 win over the Islanders in Raleigh.

Title Fight...

• The Canes wrapped up a playoff spot on Thursday and now have their eyes set on a fourth division title in the last six seasons.
• To do so, they'll need some combination of three points gained against the Penguins this evening, who take on the Panthers at home (5 p.m. ET). A Canes win and any Penguins loss seals the deal, as does a Carolina OTL and a Pittsburgh regulation defeat. Full clinching scenarios can be found here.

Svech Strikes Thrice...

• Andrei Svechnikov lit the lamp for the third straight game on Thursday, his third goal-scoring streak of three or more games this season.
• All three goals have come on the man advantage, matching the league's longest consecutive run of games with a power-play goal by any player this season.
• His 28 tucks on the year are the second-most Svechnikov has scored in a season, as are his 37 assists and 65 points. With seven games to go, the 26-year-old is chasing his career highs in each category: 30 goals, 39 assists and 69 points (all set in 2021-22).

In Net...

• Should the Canes continue with their rotation in net, Brandon Bussi would be in line to start.
• Winning his last three starts, the first-year NHLer was outstanding on Tuesday with 23 saves on 25 shots in Columbus.
• Conversely, should the Canes elect to go back to Frederik Andersen, he'll aim to build off his 7-3-0 mark in his last 10 starts.

On The Other Side...

• Clinging onto the third place spot in the Metropolitan Division, the Islanders cushion is now down to just one point after falling to the Philadelphia Flyers last night.
• Their third defeat in a row, the group comes to Raleigh for their final road game of the regular season having allowed 16 goals in the aforementioned trio of contests, including eight to Pittsburgh earlier this week.
• Over the last month, the Isles are averaging just 2.56 goals per game, 30th among all NHL teams.
• On the season as a whole, their power play has converted on just 16.7% of tries, also 30th among all NHL teams.
• With Ilya Sorokin having just played under 24 hours ago, will Patrick Roy go back to him again tonight, or will New York turn to David Rittich as they try to stay in a playoff position?

Injury Updates...

• Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (hip surgery) was declared "probably out for the year" by Rod Brind'Amour on Dec. 29.

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their RED uniforms for the contest. To view the team's full 2025-26 uniform schedule, click here.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes fly to Ottawa immediately post-game. They'll take on the Senators at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
• Next Game: Sunday, April 5 at Ottawa | 5:00 p.m. ET | FDSNSO 
• Next Home Game: Tuesday, April 7 vs. Boston | 7:00 p.m. ET | FDSNSO | Tickets | Parking