Lenovo Center sits empty, rally towels draped across each chair, in advance of Game 1 of the first-round NHL playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Justin Pelletier / News & Observer Justin Pelletier / News & Observer
Raleigh
Good afternoon, and Happy Easter to those who celebrate.
More pertinent to this audience: Happy NHL Playoff Season, and welcome to the News & Observer’s coverage of Game 1, Round 1 between the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils from Lenovo Center.
Follow along here for the latest updates as journalists Chip Alexander, Luke DeCock and Justin Pelletier post live updates, news and analysis in real time from the game.
For starters
For the first time in, well, perhaps all season, the Hurricanes are at full strength among their forwards — save, of course, for Jesper Fast, who hasn’t played all season after offseason surgery. That will make the starting lineup interesting, with all of the Canes’ role players and stars willing and able to go in Game 1.
And each of those players has contributed in his own way to Carolina’s second-place Metro Division finish, 99 points and top-of-the-NHL penalty kill unit, a group that will most certainly be tested in the special-teams-heavy playoff season.
Mark Jankowski stands out in many ways here. Originally regarded by many as an afterthought during the trade season that also included the Mikko Rantanen trade debacle, Jankowski has been a goal-scoring machine when he’s been on the ice. Despite playing just about 12 minutes per game, and in only 19 games for the Canes this season after his acquisition from Nashville, Jankowski has eight goals on 21 shots, including a game-winner.
Apr 12, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Mark Jankowski (77) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the second period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images James Guillory James Guillory-Imagn Images
Despite that proclivity, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Jankowski would be the odd man out to start the playoffs with William Carrier — a playoff veteran who missed a chunk of games through the middle and late parts of the season — now healthy.
The choice, Brind’Amour said, came down to Jack Roslovic and Jankowski, and Roslovic will center Carrier and Eric Robinson on the fourth line Sunday, in part because he plays on the second power-play unit, but also because of his scoring ability.
“Twenty-two goals,” Brind’Amour said, referring to Roslovic. “You saw the other night, he doesn’t need much. He’s a right-handed center. Just a lot of little things.”
Brind’Amour said Frederik Andersen would start in goal. As for the lineup regulars returning after taking the last two or three regular-season games off, Brind’Amour is going back to his “top” line of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis and Jackson Blake.
Also of note from Saturday’s practice session, Andrei Svechnikov appears poised to rejoin the top power play group, with Taylor Hall swapping back to the second unit.
N.C. State’s Will Wade sounds the siren
One things the Hurricanes have become known for in the postseason is upping their pregame siren-sounding game, often plucking locally well known athletes or personalities to help pump up the home crowd by cranking a portable air-raid siren from the second deck of Lenovo Center.
In his first public appearance in Raleigh since being hired as N.C. State’s new head men’s basketball coach, Will Wade is performing the honor Sunday.
Good pregame reads
▪ Speaking of Blake, this story about the rookie forward from Luke DeCock is a fascinating look at how much NHL life can change for these players, particularly rookies, in less than a year’s time.
▪ Another hot topic this week has been the arrival of Russian defender Alexander Nikishin. A stellar defenseman in the KHL for the past couple of seasons, his pro team in Russia, SKA, agreed to void the remainder of his contract there so the hulking blueliner could make his way to Carolina, with which he’s signed a two-year, entry-level contract. His speed and size are expected to translate quickly to the NHL, and he’s already begun skating with the Canes in practice.
Chip Alexander caught up with Nikishin on Saturday,
▪ If it seems like the Hurricanes have been here before… you’re right. Luke DeCock looks at why this all seems familiar for the Canes, and whether the newcomers to this year’s Carolina lineup will be enough to change the also-familiar outcome.
This story was originally published April 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM.
