Martinook/Jarvis swap – Carolina heads into Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final with no expected personnel changes, but the forward switch between Jordan Martinook and Seth Jarvis remains the main question after Jarvis scored in overtime of Game 2.
LAS VEGAS — The Carolina Hurricanes aren’t expected to make personnel changes for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights. Still, the bench door has not fully closed on one detail: how exactly the forward lineup takes shape tonight.
Midway through Carolina’s Game 2 win Thursday in Raleigh. Rod Brind’Amour swapped Jordan Martinook and Seth Jarvis in his forward group. looking for more five-on-five production. Jarvis didn’t just benefit in theory—he scored the game-winner on the power play in overtime. But when Brind’Amour met with the media before Game 3, he wouldn’t say whether that move would stick.
The timing has a familiar feel. The same swap happened during Carolina’s Game 2 win over Philadelphia in Round 2, then was reverted for Game 3. That history hangs over this one: Jarvis’ overtime strike gave the change a reason to stay, while the prior pattern gives it a reason to disappear.
Even if the Canes settle on the same roles, the numbers explain why the decision matters. In 15 playoff games, Jarvis (3), Sebastian Aho (3), and Andrei Svechnikov (2) have combined for just eight goals at even strength. By comparison, the unit of Taylor Hall (5), Logan Stankoven (8), and Jackson Blake (5) has produced 18.
On the blue line, there was less drama—just a notable return. Alexander Nikishin resumed power-play duties on Stankoven’s unit in Game 2. Nikishin had handled the role for a good chunk of the regular season. then stepped aside when K’Andre Miller had to come out earlier in the postseason after suffering a concussion in Ottawa.
Between all the lineup math sits Frederik Andersen, expected to make his 16th start of the postseason. In his first 13 starts. Vegas had allowed more than two goals only once. and the Knights managed to put five and three behind him in Games 1 and 2. respectively. Still. Andersen’s .917 save percentage—tied with Carter Hart—and 1.72 goals against average remain the best among goaltenders with 10 games played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tonight’s projected Hurricanes lineup:
Forwards: Svechnikov — Aho — Martinook/Jarvis; Hall — Stankoven — Blake; Ehlers — Staal — Martinook/Jarvis; Carrier — Jankowski — Robinson.
Defense: Slavin — Chatfield; Miller — Walker; Gostisbehere — Nikishin.
Starting goaltender: Andersen.
Injuries: N/A.
Scratches: Nicolas Deslauriers, Pyotr Kochetkov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Mike Reilly.
Power play units are set as follows:
PP1: Aho, Ehlers (Staal), Jarvis, and Svechnikov with Gostisbehere.
PP2: Blake, Hall, Jankowski, and Stankoven with Nikishin.
Jordan Staal has been taking the faceoffs to start most power plays. If he wins it, he stays on the ice. When the puck comes out of the zone, he jumps off and Nikolaj Ehlers jumps on with the first unit. If Staal wins it for the second unit, Mark Jankowski jumps on when Staal goes off.
Carolina Hurricanes Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Rod Brind'Amour Jordan Martinook Seth Jarvis Sebastian Aho Andrei Svechnikov Alexander Nikishin Frederik Andersen power play projected lineup
So they’re changing lineups again? I swear hockey coaches love messing with things like it’s a video game.
Jarvis scored in OT so why wouldn’t they keep it like… that seems obvious. But then they act like it’s a mystery? lol
Wait I read that as Martinook and Jarvis are swapping like positions, but then it says it could be reverted again like Round 2. So basically Jarvis is good and then they un-try him? makes no sense
Honestly I don’t even watch the Stanley Cup Final that much, but the power-play talk confused me. They said Nikishin is back on Stankoven’s unit, then something about K’Andre Miller had to come out earlier? Like, is that why they can’t score at even strength? Everyone’s numbers are all mixed up, I’m just hoping Carolina doesn’t choke.