Carolina Hurricanes: Highlights of the 2014-2015 Canes Schedule
October 10, 2014 – Opening Night
Mar 25, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward
Alexander Semin(28) is congratulated by teammates after his second period goal against the New York Islanders at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: New York Islanders
Venue: PNC Arena
Time: 7:00 pm (ET)
Importance: October 10 will be opening night for the Carolina Hurricanes, and it will happen on home ice. This will be a great opportunity to start the season right against a Metropolitan Division rival in the New York Islanders.
Will players like Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, Alexander Semin, Jiri Tlusty, and others have big, bounce back years? We will get a first look on October 10.
October 11, 2014 – First Road Test
Jan 4, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman
Justin Faulk(27) and New York Islanders center
Brock Nelson(29) chase the puck during the second period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: New York Islanders
Venue: Nassau Coliseum
Time: 7:00 pm (ET)
Importance: Just one day after opening night, the Carolina Hurricanes will face their first road challenge, and it will be against the same Islanders team that they faced the day before.
The Carolina Hurricanes will look to start their road schedule with a solid performance and hopefully pull out a big win and make their record 2-0-0.
October 24, 2014 – 2006 Stanley Cup Final Rematch
Dec 10, 2013; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes winger
Jeff Skinner(53) celebrates after scoring the game tying goal against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris Austin-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Edmonton Oilers
Venue: Rexall Place
Time: 9:30 pm (ET)
Importance: Yes, the Carolina Hurricanes won a Stanley Cup one time. Though it was eight years ago, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games to win the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup.
It was a long time ago, but games between the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers still standout to me, even though both teams have seen much better days.
November 2, 2014 – The Champs Come to Raleigh
October 11, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) tries to carry the puck against Los Angeles Kings forward
Justin Williams(14) at PNC Center. The Kings defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Los Angeles Kings
Venue: PNC Arena
Time: 5:00 pm (ET)
Importance: The 2014 NHL Stanley Cup champions come to town on November 2. Former Carolina Hurricanes forward and Conn Smythe winner Justin Williams will also come back to Raleigh.
Will the Carolina Hurricanes be able to dethrone the Kings? We will see if they can in early November.
November 28,2014 – Canes Pay Jim Rutherford a Visit
Apr 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie
Marc-Andre Fleury(29) makes a save against Carolina Hurricanes left wing
Drayson Bowman(21) as Pens defenseman
Matt Niskanen(2) defends during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Pittsburgh Penguins
Venue: Consol Energy Center
Time: 7:00 pm (ET)
Importance: The Carolina Hurricanes will travel to Pittsburgh for the first time in the 2014-2015 regular season on November 28. Former Canes GM Jim Rutherford is now the man in charge with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
This will also be a good challenge for the Carolina Hurricanes against stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and others.
December 31, 2014 – Happy New Year?
Apr 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal (12) celebrates his goal with left wing
Chris Terry(middle) and center
Andrei Loktionov(8) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Carolina Hurricanes won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Pittsburgh Penguins
Venue: Consol Energy Center
Time: 7:00 pm (ET)
Importance: The Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins will square off on New Year’s Eve in a Metropolitan Division matchup in Pennsylvania.
Hopefully, the Carolina Hurricanes will be well on their way to a playoff berth and will look to keep the good times rolling into the 2015 calendar year.
February 17, 2015 – The Start of Something Special?
Mar 25, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Islanders goalie Andres Nilsson (45) and teammate forward
Frans Nielsen(51) watch the Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner (53) shot during the first period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: New York Islanders
Venue: PNC Arena
Time: 7:00 pm (ET)
Importance: The Carolina Hurricanes will start a streak of 15 of 20 games on home ice on February 17 against the New York Islanders.
This streak of games will be extremely important for the Carolina Hurricanes’ playoff hopes for the 2014-2015 season. They will have to win and play well on home ice and get their fans into the game in order to go to the playoffs next season.
April 7, 2015 – Homecoming for Bill Peters
Apr. 4, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock (left) talks with assistant coach Bill Peters (right) during the first period against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Detroit Red Wings
Venue: Joe Louis Arena
Time: 7:30 pm (ET)
Importance: The Carolina Hurricanes take on the Detroit Red Wings in a late season matchup on April 7. The highlight of this game will be Bill Peters’ return to the Detroit.
Bill Peters was an assistant coach on Mike Babcock’s staff for three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. He will look to defeat the Wings in his first game back in Michigan.
April 11, 2015 – Goodbye, for now?
October 4, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie
Jimmy Howard(35) watches the shot by Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jiri Tlusty (19) during the 2nd period at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Detroit Red Wings
Venue: PNC Arena
Time: 7:00 pm (ET)
Importance: The Carolina Hurricanes finish up the 2014-2015 regular season on home ice on April 11 against the Detroit Red Wings.
The Carolina Hurricanes look to end a, hopefully playoff bound, season with a big win against the Wings, a team that has been playoff bound many times over the years.