Carolina Hurricanes: Highlights of the 2014-2015 Canes Schedule

October 10, 2014 – Opening Night

Mar 25, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward

(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

(27) and New York Islanders center

(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

(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

(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

(29) makes a save against Carolina Hurricanes left wing

(21) as Pens defenseman

(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

(middle) and center

(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

(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.