The Carolina Hurricanes travel to face the New Jersey Devils in a Metropolitan Division clash, marking the third meeting between these rivals this season. Carolina has dominated the series so far, winning both prior games, and enters on a high note after a dominant victory. New Jersey, meanwhile, is looking to build momentum from back-to-back wins while snapping a recent skid against the Hurricanes. This matchup features two teams with potent offenses but contrasting defensive forms, setting up an intriguing battle at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Venue Location
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with key absences, particularly in goal and on the blue line for Carolina, while New Jersey has forward depth issues. Here’s a breakdown:
| Team | Player | Position | Injury | Status |
| Hurricanes | Pyotr Kochetkov | G | Lower body/undisclosed | Out (potentially season-ending) |
| Hurricanes | Noah Philp | C | Concussion | Out |
| Hurricanes | William Carrier | LW | Lower body | Day-to-day (questionable) |
| Hurricanes | Shayne Gostisbehere | D | Illness/lower body | Questionable |
| Hurricanes | Charles-Alexis Legault | D | Hand | Out |
| Devils | Stefan Noesen | RW | Knee | Out |
| Devils | Zack MacEwen | RW | ACL | Out for season |
| Devils | Ondrej Palat | LW | Illness | Questionable |
| Devils | Marc McLaughlin | C | Undisclosed | Out |
Carolina’s goaltending depth will be tested without Kochetkov, likely relying on Frederik Andersen or a backup. New Jersey’s forward group is thinned, which could impact their secondary scoring.
Player Matchups
This game highlights several intriguing battles between star forwards and defensive pairings. Carolina’s high-volume shooting (averaging 33+ shots per game) will test New Jersey’s goaltending, while the Devils’ speed could exploit the Hurricanes’ back-to-back schedule.
Sebastian Aho (CAR) vs. Jack Hughes (NJD): Aho (leading Carolina with consistent production) faces off against Hughes (New Jersey’s dynamic playmaker). Expect this center matchup to dictate pace, with Aho’s two-way play clashing against Hughes’ offensive flair.
Nikolaj Ehlers (CAR) vs. Jesper Bratt (NJD): Ehlers is red-hot after a hat trick in Carolina’s last game (9-1 win over Florida). Bratt, New Jersey’s top scorer, will need to match his speed on the wings.
Andrei Svechnikov/Seth Jarvis (CAR top line) vs. Timo Meier/Dawson Mercer (NJD top line): Carolina’s top unit has been explosive, outscoring opponents recently. New Jersey’s group must contain them to avoid a shootout.
Goaltending: Frederik Andersen (CAR) vs. Jacob Markstrom (NJD): Andersen steps up amid injuries, facing a Devils team that’s struggled defensively (allowing 4+ goals in three of last five). Markstrom needs a bounce-back after New Jersey’s recent high-scoring affairs.
Projected lineups emphasize Carolina’s depth forwards against New Jersey’s balanced attack.
Recent Team Forms
Carolina has been streaky but potent offensively, scoring 20 goals in their last five games. New Jersey snapped a three-game losing streak with two wins but has defensive lapses, conceding 19 goals in their last five.
| Team | Last 5 Games (Most Recent First) | Record | Goals For/Against |
| Hurricanes | W 9-1 vs FLA (1/16), L 0-3 @ STL (1/13), L 3-4 @ DET (1/12), W 3-2 vs SEA (1/10), W 5-2 vs ANA (1/8) | 3-2-0 | 20/12 |
| Devils | W 3-2 OT vs SEA (1/14), W 5-2 @ MIN (1/12), L 3-4 @ WPG (1/11), L 1-4 @ PIT (1/8), L 0-9 @ NYI (1/6) | 2-3-0 | 12/21 |
Series History
Carolina holds a historical edge overall (91-93-12-2), but they’ve dominated recently, going 7-3-0 in the last 10 meetings and winning the last four straight. This season, the Hurricanes are 2-0-0 against the Devils:
Oct. 9, 2025: Hurricanes 6-3 (home).
Jan. 4, 2026: Hurricanes 3-1 (away). New Jersey’s lone win in the past eight matchups came in December 2024. Expect Carolina’s forecheck to pressure New Jersey’s puck-moving defense.
Betting Trends
Moneyline: Carolina is 8-3 ML against strong offensive teams (29+ shots/game, 17%+ PP).
Puck Line: New Jersey is 2-3 ATS in last five; Carolina 3-2 ATS.
Over/Under: Over has hit in 4 of Carolina’s last 5 (high-scoring outbursts); Under in 6 of New Jersey’s last 6 after wins. Series games this season averaged 6.5 goals.
Trends: Hurricanes 62-29 ML when playing their second game in five days; Devils 27-33 ML revenging a same-season loss. Carolina 33-20 Under on the road vs. high-shot teams; New Jersey 28-19 Under vs. possession-heavy opponents.
Game Odds
Carolina Hurricanes – 115
New Jersey Devils 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 16, 2026
