Game Preview
Game Preview: Necas Makes Return to Carolina in Vintage Jersey Rematch
Jack Drury and Brent Burns will also play in Carolina for first time since joining the Avs
Just three weeks from the first anniversary of the blockbuster trade between both clubs last year, Martin Necas is set to play his first game in Carolina as a member of the Avalanche.
Necas, 26, was drafted by the Hurricanes No. 12 overall in 2017. He spent the first 411 games of his career with Carolina, which concluded after a breakout 55-point performance in 49 games last year before the trade.
READ MORE: Avalanche Game 40 at Carolina Hurricanes: Necas Returns to Raleigh, Lines, Notes & How To Watch
Drury and defenseman Brent Burns are also making their return to Raleigh with the Avs. The Canes drafted Drury in the second round of the 2018 draft. Burns spent three seasons in Carolina following a trade from San Jose.
Necas and the Avs will be without top goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. Just as he did when the two teams faced each other at Ball Arena in October, Scott Wedgewood will likely get the nod in goal. Wedgewood was pulled against the Canes after allowing four goals on 11 shots in the first period. The Avs eventually lost in a shootout.
The Avs are also potentially missing Gavin Brindley and Joel Kiviranta. The former dressed in their 6-1 victory over St. Louis on Wednesday and suffered an upper body injury. The latter was a late scratch in that game and was replaced in the lineup by Zakhar Bardakov.
Taylor Makar was called up in case they both can’t go.
The Canes are expecting to have defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere back in the lineup. Gostisbehere missed the last three games (1-2-0). Carolina has given up 12 goals in its last two, with both Freddie Andersen and Brandon Bussi getting a start. They lost both games in regulation.
