The Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights, two of the NHL's hottest teams, are set to clash on October 20, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Both teams carry impressive winning streaks into the contest, with the Hurricanes boasting a perfect 5-0-0 record and the Golden Knights holding a 4-0-2 record. This matchup promises to be a high-stakes battle between two potential Stanley Cup contenders.

Here’s a look at the projected lineups:

Carolina Hurricanes

• Forwards: Nikolaj Ehlers - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis Andrei Svechnikov - Logan Stankoven - Jackson Blake William Carrier - Jordan Staal - Jordan Martinook Taylor Hall - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Eric Robinson

• Defense: K'Andre Miller - Sean Walker Alexander Nikishin - Charles Alexis Legault Mike Reilly - Jalen Chatfield

• Goalies: Frederik Andersen, Brandon Bussi

Notes:

• Shayne Gostisbehere will miss the game due to a lower-body injury sustained in the previous game. Coach Rod Brind'Amour doesn't believe the injury is serious.
• Charles Alexis Legault is expected to make his NHL debut.
• Jaccob Slavin is also out with a lower body injury.
• Pyotr Kochetkov is on injured reserve with a lower body injury, but is expected to return soon.

Vegas Golden Knights

• Forwards: Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Brandon Saad Reilly Smith - William Karlsson - Alexander Holtz Pavel Dorofeyev - Tomas Hertl - Mitch Marner Cole Reinhardt - Colton Sissons - Keegan Kolesar

• Defense: Brayden McNabb - Shea Theodore Ben Hutton - Zach Whitecloud Jeremy Lauzon - Kaedan Korczak

• Goalies: Adin Hill, Akira Schmid

Notes:

• Mark Stone is week-to-week with an upper-body injury sustained in their previous game. Brandon Saad will take his place on the top line.
• Noah Hanifin remains out with an undisclosed injury.
• Brett Howden is out with a lower body injury.

Storylines to Watch

• Undefeated Hurricanes: Carolina is the sole remaining undefeated team in the NHL. Their balanced attack and stifling defense have been key to their early success. Seth Jarvis has been a standout performer, already notching four game-winning goals.
• Golden Knights' Home Dominance: Vegas has been strong at home, and will look to continue their winning ways. Jack Eichel is off to a torrid start, leading the league in points.
• Special Teams Battle: The Hurricanes' power play ranks near the bottom of the league, while the Golden Knights' penalty kill is also struggling. Carolina will need to capitalize on any power play opportunities and limit penalties to gain an edge.
• Goaltending Matchup: Frederik Andersen is expected to start for the Hurricanes, while Adin Hill is likely to get the nod for the Golden Knights. Andersen has been solid early in the season, while Hill is looking to improve his numbers.

Predictions & Analysis

The Hurricanes enter the game as slight underdogs, despite their undefeated record. Carolina's strong defensive play and balanced attack make them a threat to any team. However, the Golden Knights are a tough team to beat at home, and Jack Eichel is playing at an elite level.

The game could come down to which team can control the tempo and capitalize on their scoring chances. Containing Eichel, Marner and Stone (when healthy) will be crucial for the Hurricanes. For the Golden Knights, shutting down Jarvis and Aho will be key.

With both teams eager to continue their winning streaks, expect a hard-fought, intense battle in Vegas.