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Granted, a hot start never guarantees a playoff season (IE Flyers last year), but given the history of slow starts and their past struggles against the Metro, it does seem critical this season for a chance of success. Bottom line – I don’t care how the Hurricanes do it, but they need to find a way to snap the four-year streak of sub .500 starts and win at least ten games in their first quarter. Anything less will most likely bring a season of disappointment.
The Hurricanes are one of the last three NHL teams that will be playing their season opener today. They will be hosting the Minnesota Wild (0-1-0) and have had plenty of time this week to prepare. The Hurricanes have a bit of luck with their schedule because it starts slowly with only three games in the first ten days of the NHL season.
The Hurricanes won in a shootout in exciting fashion in their season opener against the Wild. The sellout crowd in Raleigh was treated to a fast-paced affair and some late-game theatrics by the Wild to tie it at four as time expired. Before we get into discussing the game, I want to address the final goal and my real objection to it.
The Carolina Hurricanes enter their second game with momentum following a thrilling OT win in front of a sellout crowd last Saturday. Tonight they are set to face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first match-up the Hurricanes will have against a Metro division opponent this season – surprisingly, this will be the only Metro team the Hurricanes will play until the two meet again on November 10th for the Hurricanes’ 14th game this season.
The Carolina Hurricanes fell 2-1 in overtime last night to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a defensive chess match. While the game did have a few exciting offensive opportunities, much of it was a tight game that showcased D play and goaltending.
A year ago yesterday the Carolina Hurricanes (1-0-1) were playing on the road against the Winnipeg Jets. (2-2-0) The Hurricanes started strong and took a 4-1 lead only to watch the Jets claw back and win it 5-4 in OT. Despite that one blemish, the Hurricanes have done well recently against the Jets and hold a 3-0-1 in their last four meetings.
The Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-1) are set for their second of four straight road games tonight against the Edmonton Oilers (1-3-0). The Hurricanes come into this game with three areas that grossly need improvement – get more traffic, get to the net more, and score more goals.
The Hurricanes (3-1-1) are trying to get their first three-game winning streak of the season against the Dallas Stars (4-3-0) tonight. This is the final game of their four-game road trip before they return home to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on the 24th.
Tonight will mark the first set of back-to-back games for the Carolina Hurricanes (4-3-1). They are coming off a strong 6-3 win at Toronto and will look to keep the offense rolling against the St. Louis Blues (7-2-1). The win was very timely for the Hurricanes as they were able to avoid their first three-game losing streak this season.
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