Cardiac Cane
Fansided

Carolina Hurricanes: 3 keys to victory vs. Blue Jackets

By Andrew Miller

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 30: Joakim Nordstrom #42 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles for a loose puck along the boards with David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game on March 30, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 30: Joakim Nordstrom #42 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles for a loose puck along the boards with David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game on March 30, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 30: Joakim Nordstrom #42 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles for a loose puck along the boards with David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game on March 30, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 30: Joakim Nordstrom #42 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles for a loose puck along the boards with David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game on March 30, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Both the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets could be major players in the Metropolitan Division race in 2017-18, and they meet on Oct. 10.

The Carolina Hurricanes have a big game on tap on Oct. 10 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. If the Canes want to take that next step in the Metropolitan Division, it starts with defeating teams like the Blue Jackets.

This is the first of four matchups against the Jackets. The first starts at home, at PNC Arena, followed by two matchups at Columbus, and then another one at home to finish off the series. Yet, if the Canes and Blue Jackets both take the steps forward they could end up meeting in the NHL Playoffs as well.

That’s the ultimate goal for the Canes this season is to end an eight season playoff drought. The last time that Carolina made the playoffs was in 2009 when they made an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Carolina won their first game of the season, in a 5-4 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild. Meanwhile, Columbus enters this game 1-1, with a win over the New York Islanders and loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

A 2-0 start would mean big things for the Canes as they look to build some momentum for a solid start to the season, something they have struggled with in recent years. The Blue Jackets have gotten mixed results in their starts in recent years.

Taking advantage of home ice really helped the Canes against the Wild. PNC Arena was sold out in what has become a rare happening.

Now, let’s take a look at 3 keys to victory for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 10.

Home/Analysis