Carolina Hurricanes fought to the final whistle but lost 6-5 to Tampa Bay, despite a lineup largely composed of non-NHL players. Amir Miftakhov endured a high-damage night, allowing 6 on 28 shots as the Canes went 0-for-7 on the power play, including a failed 5-on-3. Tyson Jost logged 22:05, adding 5 shots; late-life scoring came from Givani Smith, Gleb Trikozov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Noel Gunler and Bradly Nadeau, with Kotkaniemi leaving after a stick to the face. Carolina returns home to face Nashville.

The Canes battled back, scoring with 10 seconds left to make it 6-5, but the short-handed circumstances and special-teams miscues cost them. Nikishin led the defensive charge with 4 blocks, while Smith anchored the net-front presence with 7 hits. Nashville Kenotes await, offering another chance to stabilize the lineup and regain momentum after a three-game winless stretch.

Hurricanes bring a prospect-heavy lineup to a preseason tilt with Tampa Bay, featuring Kotkaniemi at first-line center and Quapp vs Miftakhov in goal. Look for Nikishin’s acclimation and Givani Smith’s edge-creating physicality to shape early roster decisions, while the broadcast streams on ESPN+. Fantasy managers should note depth roles and potential goaltending outcomes as the season approaches.

Quapp and Miftakhov anchor the goaltending duel, signaling which side may emerge with the steadier third string. Kotkaniemi’s assignment hints at immediate top-line usage, while Smith’s grinding tempo and Nikishin’s system fit could tilt minutes to Hurricanes prospects. This game offers a microcosm of Carolina’s deeper talent pool and how it translates to early-season fantasy upside.

The matchup serves as a small sample of how the Canes intend to deploy their depth in 2025–26, especially if goaltending remains a contest into the early exhibitions. Viewers gain a clearer read on which players might push for fourth-line to middle-six roles and how that could impact streaming or short-term bets in fantasy leagues.

Ivan Ivan, 23, rose from the Colorado Eagles to the Avalanche lineup in 2024-25, skating 40 NHL games with 5 goals, 3 assists and 8 points, earning third-line trust as injuries reshaped the roster. A midseason demotion to Loveland slowed his momentum, where he tallied 12 points in 36 AHL games and saw reduced power-play opportunity. With his ELC expiring, a steady bottom-six role in 2025-26 could push him to full-time NHL duty, boosting fantasy upside if minutes hold.

Fantasy managers should monitor ice-time trends, PP deployment, and how Colorado handles second-half rentals, as those shifts will determine his floor and ceiling. If he secures a reliable bottom-six role with occasional PP exposure, he could become a versatile, affordable depth contributor with multi-positional value.

Mackenzie Blackwood and Alexandar Georgiev faced off as goaltenders for the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks, respectively, after being traded for each other last week. Blackwood led the Avalanche to a 4-2 victory, making 32 saves, while Georgiev stopped 27 shots for the Sharks.

Blackwood reflected on his time with the Sharks, crediting general manager Mike Grier for reviving his career after injuries hampered his performance with the New Jersey Devils. He expressed a strong bond with his former teammates despite the short tenure.

Georgiev acknowledged the unique challenge of playing against familiar faces, aiming to maintain a normal game mindset. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar praised Blackwood's contributions, noting the positive change in team dynamics since the trades.

Alexandar Georgiev's trade from the Colorado Avalanche to the San Jose Sharks happened quickly, leaving him reflecting on his time in Colorado, where he achieved 95 wins in just over two seasons.

Despite a challenging contract year, Georgiev is eager for a fresh start with the Sharks, who are rebuilding. He has already made two starts for his new team, showing promise despite the team's struggles. With the future uncertain for both him and the Sharks, Georgiev remains optimistic about his next chapter.