The Carolina Hurricanes will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 30, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Both teams enter the matchup on a positive note, having secured victories in their most recent games. The Hurricanes, currently leading the Metropolitan Division with a record of 24-11-3 and 51 points, are poised to extend their success against the Penguins, who hold a record of 16-12-9 and 41 points.
Carolina’s roster has been impacted significantly by injuries, particularly with goalie Pyotr Kochetkov, who underwent surgery on Monday for a persistent lower-body injury. Kochetkov has been placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. In their last outing, the Hurricanes claimed a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the New York Rangers, thanks to Jackson Blake‘s power-play goal with just 13 seconds left on the clock. Sebastian Aho contributed a goal and an assist, while Jordan Martinook tied the game in the third period.
On the other side, the Penguins made a notable roster move by acquiring Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets. In exchange, they traded forward Danton Heinen and two draft picks. Chinakhov, who had three goals and six points in 29 games with Columbus, aims to bolster the Penguins’ offensive capabilities. This trade follows an impressive performance by Justin Brazeau, who achieved his first career hat trick in Pittsburgh’s commanding 7-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. In that game, Bryan Rust scored twice, while Anthony Mantha and Noel Acciari also contributed to the scoring.
As the teams prepare for this exciting game, some key players stand out. Aho leads the Hurricanes with 14 goals and 35 points, while Blake has added 12 goals to his tally. On the Penguins’ side, Sydney Crosby is at the forefront, leading with 20 goals and 39 points, supported by Rust’s 15 goals. In goal, Brandon Bussi has excelled for Carolina with a record of 13-1-1, a shutout, a .911 save percentage, and an NHL-best 2.08 goals against average. Meanwhile, Arturs Silovs has a record of 6-5-6 for the Penguins, with a .886 save percentage and a 3.21 GAA.
Fans looking to watch the game can tune in at 19:00 ET on channels including ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network South, and SportsNet Pittsburgh. For those interested in live streaming the matchup, platforms like Fubo offer a free trial, providing access to essential channels throughout the NHL season.
This matchup promises to be an exhilarating contest as both teams vie for crucial points in the standings. With both squads showcasing impressive talent and recent momentum, fans can expect an action-packed evening of hockey.
