The Minnesota Wild travel to Raleigh looking to snap their inconsistent start to the season when they face the Carolina Hurricanes on November 6, 2025, at Lenovo Center. With puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, this matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions. The Hurricanes enter with an 8-4-0 record, establishing themselves as one of the Metropolitan Division’s early contenders, while the Wild are struggling to find consistency at 5-6-3 through their opening 14 games.
Both teams will feature notable lineup changes that could significantly impact the outcome. Carolina welcomes back defenseman K’Andre Miller from a six-game absence due to a lower-body injury, while Minnesota will debut Daemon Hunt on defense after claiming him off waivers from Columbus earlier in the season. The Wild continue to deal with several key injuries, most notably forward Mats Zuccarello, who could return as soon as Friday’s game against the New York Islanders.
Minnesota Wild projected lineup for November 6, 2025
The Wild’s forward group features the dynamic Kirill Kaprizov on the top line alongside Marco Rossi and Marcus Johansson. Kaprizov leads the team with 18 points, including 8 goals and 10 assists through the first 14 games, continuing his elite production despite Minnesota’s early-season struggles. His ability to create offense from virtually anywhere on the ice makes him the Wild’s most dangerous weapon and a player Carolina must account for on every shift.
The second line brings together Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Vladimir Tarasenko, providing Minnesota with a blend of skill and two-way responsibility. Boldy has contributed 13 points with 5 goals and 8 assists, while Eriksson Ek provides the defensive reliability that makes this line difficult to play against. Tarasenko’s veteran experience and scoring touch add another dimension to what should be a productive unit.
Marcus Foligno, Ryan Hartman, and Vinnie Hinostroza form the third line, bringing physicality and energy. The fourth line features Yakov Trenin, Ben Jones, and Tyler Pitlick, providing depth scoring and reliable defensive play. The absence of Zuccarello continues to impact Minnesota’s depth, though head coach John Hynes has managed to keep the offense flowing with Marcus Johansson filling in admirably on the top line with 10 points through 14 games.
On defense, the Wild’s top pairing of Jonas Brodin and Brock Faber remains one of the league’s most reliable shutdown duos. Jake Middleton pairs with captain Jared Spurgeon on the second pairing, while the third pairing will feature the highly anticipated season debut of Zeev Buium alongside Daemon Hunt. Hunt’s insertion into the lineup comes after the team claimed him off waivers on October 3, and his presence provides much-needed depth with Zach Bogosian sidelined due to a lower-body injury.
In goal, Filip Gustavsson is expected to get the start after making 25 saves in Minnesota’s most recent outing. Jesper Wallstedt serves as the backup, giving the Wild two capable options between the pipes. The Wild will also be without David Jiricek and Danila Yurov, who are listed as healthy scratches, while Nico Sturm remains out with a back injury.
Carolina Hurricanes projected lineup for November 6, 2025
The Hurricanes’ offensive attack begins with their top line of Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, and Taylor Hall. This trio combines elite skill, playmaking ability, and finishing talent that can overwhelm opponents when clicking on all cylinders. Aho remains the catalyst for everything Carolina does offensively, consistently creating scoring chances while excelling in all situations.
Carolina’s second line features recent acquisition Nikolaj Ehlers alongside Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, providing offensive depth that few teams can match. This combination brings speed and creativity that should test Minnesota’s defensive structure. The third line of Jordan Martinook, Jordan Staal, and Seth Jarvis balances defensive responsibility with offensive contributions, with Jarvis emerging as one of the league’s most promising young forwards.
Mark Jankowski centers the fourth line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Bradly Nadeau, giving head coach Rod Brind’Amour confidence to roll four lines consistently. This depth has been crucial to Carolina’s early success, as they’ve managed to maintain their competitive edge despite dealing with significant injuries to key players.
The blue line features Alexander Nikishin paired with Sean Walker on the top unit, providing a combination of mobility and offensive instincts. The anticipated return of K’Andre Miller slots him alongside Jalen Chatfield on the second pairing, reuniting a duo that showed promise in the season’s opening games. Miller’s activation from injured reserve this morning suggests he’s ready to contribute after missing six games with a lower-body injury.
Mike Reilly and Joel Nystrom round out the defensive corps on the third pairing. The Hurricanes continue to navigate a challenging injury situation on the blue line, with Jaccob Slavin and Shayne Gostisbehere both sidelined. Slavin’s absence particularly impacts Carolina’s defensive structure, as he’s one of the league’s premier two-way defensemen.
Between the pipes, the Hurricanes have three viable options, though Brind’Amour hasn’t announced his starter. Pyotr Kochetkov delivered a perfect performance in his season debut Tuesday against the Rangers, stopping all 25 shots. Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi also remain available, giving Carolina flexibility depending on which matchup they prefer. Similar to how the Carolina Hurricanes faced goaltending decisions against the Rangers, this decision could prove pivotal in determining the game’s outcome.
Key matchups and special teams for the Wild vs Hurricanes game on November 6, 2025
The battle between Kaprizov and Carolina’s defensive corps will likely determine Minnesota’s offensive success. Without Slavin to neutralize elite forwards, the Hurricanes must rely on their depth and system to contain the Wild’s superstar. Nikishin and Walker will likely draw the most difficult assignments, and their ability to limit Kaprizov’s time and space will be crucial.
Carolina’s power play has been a significant strength early in the season, with Brind’Amour deploying an aggressive first unit featuring Aho, Ehlers, Jarvis, and Svechnikov with Walker at the point. The second unit brings Blake, Hall, Nadeau, and Stankoven with Nikishin quarterbacking from the blue line. Minnesota’s penalty kill must remain disciplined to avoid giving the Hurricanes’ skilled forwards opportunities to exploit their man advantage.
Faceoff battles will feature another critical element, with Eriksson Ek and Staal both ranking among the league’s best in the circle. Controlling possession off the draw could determine momentum, especially in defensive zone situations where both teams prefer to establish their structure before the opposition can generate quality chances.
The goaltending matchup presents intriguing questions for both sides. If Kochetkov gets the nod after his shutout performance, he’ll look to build momentum and establish himself as a reliable option. For Minnesota, Gustavsson needs to deliver a strong performance to help his team steal points on the road against a quality opponent.
Injury impact and lineup adjustments for Minnesota Wild vs Carolina Hurricanes November 6, 2025
Minnesota’s injury list continues to test their depth, with Zuccarello, Sturm, and Bogosian all unavailable. Zuccarello’s absence particularly impacts their power play and secondary scoring, though his potential return Friday would provide a significant boost. The Wild have managed to stay competitive despite these absences, demonstrating organizational depth and effective coaching.
Hunt’s season debut gives Minnesota a fresh body on defense, and his familiarity with NHL systems should allow him to contribute immediately. His partnership with Buium creates an interesting dynamic, pairing a newcomer making his season debut with a highly regarded prospect getting his first taste of NHL action. This third pairing will need to avoid critical mistakes against Carolina’s deep forward group.
Carolina’s injury situation remains more severe, with four forwards and two defensemen sidelined. William Carrier and Eric Robinson are both out for extended periods with lower and upper-body injuries respectively, while Slavin’s absence continues to impact the defensive structure. The team’s ability to maintain an 8-4-0 record despite these challenges speaks to their organizational depth and coaching.
Miller’s return provides Carolina with much-needed defensive depth and versatility. His ability to play physical while contributing offensively adds another dimension to a blue line that’s been forced to adapt throughout the early season. His familiarity with Chatfield should allow them to regain their early-season chemistry quickly, much like when the Hurricanes managed lineup adjustments against Boston.
Gostisbehere’s continued absence with a midsection injury removes another offensive weapon from the back end, though the emergence of younger defensemen has helped offset this loss. The Hurricanes’ ability to develop and integrate young players into significant roles continues to be a franchise strength.
What this game means for both teams moving forward
For Minnesota, this road trip represents an opportunity to build momentum and climb back toward .500. Their inconsistent start has left them outside playoff position in the competitive Central Division, and stringing together wins becomes increasingly important as the season progresses. A victory in Raleigh would demonstrate their ability to compete against quality opponents despite their injury challenges.
The Wild’s offensive talent gives them a chance in every game, but their defensive consistency and goaltending must improve for sustained success. Gustavsson needs to establish himself as a reliable number-one option, while the defense must limit high-danger chances against skilled opponents like Carolina.
Carolina looks to continue building momentum after their strong start, positioning themselves among the Metropolitan Division’s elite teams. Their ability to maintain competitive hockey despite significant injuries bodes well for their chances once the roster returns to full health. Home games against teams below .500 represent opportunities to bank points while navigating the challenging early-season schedule.
The Hurricanes’ depth and system-oriented approach under Brind’Amour continues to produce results, and another victory would extend their cushion in the division standings. Their special teams success, particularly on the power play, provides an advantage that should continue generating wins throughout the season. As both teams navigate the long NHL season, this November matchup offers an important test of their respective trajectories and playoff aspirations.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.