On Tuesday, the hockey world will turn its attention to Raleigh, N.C., as the Carolina Hurricanes, spearheaded by the formidable Mark Jankowski, are set to kick off a four-game homestand by hosting Nashville Predators. Jankowski, a seasoned forward with a wandering career, has been a sensation since his recent transition from Nashville to Carolina, a move prompted by a trade for a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
In his seven games donning the Hurricanes’ colors, Jankowski has already found the back of the net six times, marking a significant improvement from his tenure in Nashville where he only managed four goals in 41 games. His most recent score came during Sunday’s commanding 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, marking his second consecutive game with a goal.
Carolina’s head coach, Rod Brind’Amour, has nothing but praise for the 33-year-old Jankowski, who has collected 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 20 games since joining the team in a three-team trade on Jan. 24. “Every shift, it felt like he was impactful,” Brind’Amour said. “He’s been really good since he showed up here, but hadn’t quite got rewarded for what he has been doing until (Sunday).”
Amidst the Hurricanes’ success, goalie Frederik Andersen has been a stalwart presence between the pipes. The 35-year-old veteran has only conceded eight goals in his last five starts, contributing to his winning streak. Andersen’s impressive 35 saves against the Ducks came just a day after the Los Angeles Kings gave his team a run for their money.
“Mentally, the biggest thing was just turning the page quickly,” Andersen said of the team’s immediate rebound from the Kings’ game. “You’re going to have games when things just go against you. It’s about how you respond. I thought we all came ready to play, turned the page quickly, and it felt good.”
But Tuesday’s clash won’t be a walk in the park for the Hurricanes. The Predators are led by Filip Forsberg, who tops the team in goals (28), assists (37), and points (65). The 30-year-old Swede, along with Jonathan Marchessault, was instrumental in Nashville’s 5-2 triumph over Carolina on Dec. 23, with both players recording a three-point performance.
Reflecting on the Predators’ performance, Forsberg said, “The second period was really good… They get the goal off the rush, but we’re still creating a ton of chances on the power play. If you get one of those two chances there, it’s a 3-2 game, you never know what’s going to happen.”
As the Hurricanes prepare for the Predators, the game promises to be an exhilarating showdown between two formidable teams. The question remains: Will Jankowski prove to be the game-changer yet again, or will the Predators stop him in his tracks? Only time will tell.
