RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes will look to secure their fourth consecutive victory as they take on the Winnipeg Jets, the top team from the Western Conference, on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET at the Lenovo Center. This match marks the beginning of the Logan Stankoven/Mark Jankowski era for the Hurricanes, who might find new energy after trading for Stankoven from the Dallas Stars earlier this month.
The Hurricanes (37-22-4) have demonstrated resilience, winning three straight games leading up to this showdown, including a narrow 3-2 triumph over the Boston Bruins on March 7. Carolina currently sits second in the Metropolitan Division and will be eager to test their mettle against the Jets (44-16-4), who hold the best record in the NHL at this stage of the season.
With the Jets coming off a dominant 6-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils, scoring eight goals over their last two games, they're riding high on confidence. Winnipeg boasts the best power play, converting 32.2 percent of opportunities, and has scored the most power-play goals league-wide, with 56 so far this season.
This game is also significant historically; the Jets won the previous encounter 3-0 on February 4, emphasizing the uphill battle Carolina will face. Sebastian Aho, who has four goals and 15 points against the Jets over his career, remains one of the bright spots for the Hurricanes.
Fans are particularly excited to see how Stankoven fits with Aho, as both players share a similar style of play. Stankoven, who expressed enthusiasm about the trade, commented, "It’s a new opportunity. I’m really excited to be here and on a team who wants me." His debut is highly anticipated by Hurricanes fans who are eager to see what he brings against one of the league’s best teams.
Key matchups to watch include the efforts of Hurricanes' goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has been solid this season with a record of 7-5-0, save percentage of .911, and goals against average of 2.18. Conversely, the Jets' Connor Hellebuyck has been stellar, boasting 37 wins and ranking at the top of the charts with the best save percentage of .927 and goals against average of 1.99.
Notable player milestones could also be reached during this game. Jack Roslovic from the Jets is just one goal shy of hitting the century mark at 100 career goals. Meanwhile, several Hurricanes players are closing on career milestones: Jordan Staal needs three goals to reach 300 career goals, Shayne Gostisbehere is three assists shy of 300, and Jordan Martinook is four assists short of 100 as the Hurricanes player.
The contest is not without its roster issues; the Hurricanes will miss forward William Carrier due to injury and Jesper Fast, who is on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR). The Jets will field their best lineup but are still working through injuries to players like Rasmus Kupari.
Fans will also be treated to special events at the Lenovo Center today, as the Hurricanes celebrate Brent Burns' 40th birthday with promotional giveaways. The game also coincides with Kids Day, creating family-friendly excitement at the venue.
Slated to be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network with local radio coverage provided by The Fan 99.9 FM, this game promises to be packed with action as the Hurricanes seek to build momentum against the formidable Jets. The line for the match is leaning slightly toward the Hurricanes, listed at -130, with the point line set at -1.5.
Carolina fans, eager to see how their team bounces back from previous losses to Winnipeg, can expect nothing less than high-paced hockey as both teams vie for valuable points as the regular season winds down.