Carolina Hurricanes: Top 5 Hurricanes Games to Watch in 2019-20

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RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 16: Members of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a victory over the Dallas Stars as they participate in a Storm Surge Celebratiion following an NHL game on February 16, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Carolina Hurricanes’ 2019-20 schedule has been out for a few weeks now, but there are quite a few games that stand out given the events that have unfolded over the course of the end of the 2018-19 season and the following offseason.

A less-than-stellar start to the season left most of us concerned that 2018-19 would be yet another doldrum season, with more of the same floundering that we had become accustomed to over the decade of missing that the Hurricanes and us ever-faithful fans had struggled through.

Boy, were we wrong. A blistering run throughout the latter half of the season left all of us in awe at how far the Carolina Hurricanes had come in such a short time.

Boasting the 2nd best record in the league after December 31st (behind President’s Trophy-winning Tampa Bay), the Hurricanes picked themselves up by the fight straps and dragged themselves, us, and an exceptional Pig right out of the mire of mediocrity and into the postseason spotlight. They also managed to break the Madison Square Garden curse by finally defeating the New York Rangers in Manhattan.

A thrilling 1st Round against none other than division rivals (and defending Stanley Cup champs), the Washington Capitals, ensured that we were all glued to the edge of our seats every night to see how the Canes would fare in their first playoff berth in a decade.

Needless to say, they ended up defeating the Caps in Game 7 in the 1st Round, sweeping the New York Islanders in the 2nd Round, before eventually succumbing to the Boston Bruins in 4 games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

All of these things, coupled with some offseason moves, a laughably ridiculous offer-sheet attempt at a franchise player, and various other bits of unfinished business from the 2018-19 season have set the stage for quite a few electric matchups involving the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2019-20 season.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: Brock McGinn #23 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his game-winning goal with teammates against the Washington Capitals at 11:05 of the second overime period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Hurricanes defeated the Capitals 4-3 in the second overtime period to move on to Round Two of the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

5. First Meeting with the Washington Capitals

Unfinished business is the name of the game this season, folks. Especially if Justin Williams returns.

The Washington Capitals will be looking to exact revenge on the Carolina Hurricanes for eliminating them in Round 1 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. On a beautiful play from Justin Williams, Brock McGinn batted the puck into the net behind Caps’ netminder Braden Holtby to secure the series victory, effectively eliminating Alex Ovechkin and the defending Stanley Cup champs from further playoff contention.

Coupled with the frustration of being eliminated, the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes have been division rivals since the Canes moved from Hartford in 1997. Many an exciting tilt has taken place between the two teams, and tensions always run high between them.

Expect the Capitals to come out swinging, and make sure you tune in on October 5th, 2019 at 7pm EST to see the Carolina Hurricanes put them in their place on their own ice once again.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 08, 2019 in New York City. The Hurricanes shut-out the Rangers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

4. Shedding the MSG Curse For Good

The Carolina Hurricanes finally managed to win at Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2010.

What a game that was; the Hurricanes went on to shut out the Rangers 3-0 on February 8th, 2019 while wearing their home jerseys on the Rangers’ ice. This win was no doubt a big morale boost in the beginning of what would be a season-defining run that launched the Hurricanes right into the 2019 postseason.

This season, keeping the MSG Curse at bay will prove to be a bit more difficult; the Rangers have successfully completed their rebuild, signing forward Artemi Panarin and defenseman Jacob Trouba in the offseason.

The Hurricanes have made some improvements of their own, trading for Erik Haula, and signing free agent Ryan Dzingel this past offseason. This game should be a solid litmus test of the Hurricanes’ progress in the early stages of the season, and will definitely be one to watch.

Be sure to tune in on November 27th, 2019 at 7pm EST to see whether or not the Carolina Hurricanes can stave off the Madison Square Garden curse for a second consecutive season.

RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 4: Game night host Mike Maniscalco of the Carolina Hurricanes interviews Petr Mrazek #34 during an NHL game against the New Jersey Devils at PNC Arena on April 4, 2019, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

3. “We’re In! We’re In! Yes! Yes! Woooo!”

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated longtime rivals, the New Jersey Devils, on April 4th, 2019 to finally punch their ticket to the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In what is arguably the most memorable post-game 1st Star interview in Hurricanes’ history, Petr Mrazek proudly proclaimed to the home crowd that the Carolina Hurricanes were finally going back to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The New Jersey Devils will feature an upgraded roster during the 2019-20; the Devils acquired defenseman PK Subban and selected Jack Hughes 1st overall at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. While this game will be no ‘Shock at the Rock’, it should still be a great game to watch.

Matchups between the Devils and the Hurricanes are always hotly contested, and this one should be no different. Make sure you are in your seat by 7pm on November 2nd, 2019 to see the Carolina Hurricanes drop the puck against the New Jersey Devils on home ice.

RALEIGH, NC – MAY 16: Fans of Justin Williams #14 the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate during pregame warmups in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Third Round against the Boston Bruins during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 16, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. The Storm Surge is Not Over

Like I said before, folks: Unfinished. Business.

The Carolina Hurricanes have that in droves for the Boston Bruins. After getting swept by the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Carolina Hurricanes are sure to have the mightiest of chips on their shoulders.

The Boston Bruins have made very few moves (if any at all) in the offseason; they seem to be hoping that their current core set of players has enough gas left in the tank to propel them to another successful playoff showing. The Bruins also have (in my opinion) one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL at the moment, but that’s neither here nor there.

The Carolina Hurricanes’ first meeting against the Bruins is on December 3rd, 2019 at yet again 7pm EST in Boston. This game will definitely be one to tune in for, regardless of any potential promo night schedule. (Although, those Whaler Night jerseys are absolute beauties.)

RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 24: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes controls the puck away from Victor Mete #53 of the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game on March 24, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. “We Were Always Going to Match It”

Sorry, Montreal.

The Carolina Hurricanes’ home opener is always a game to watch, but this one will be so much sweeter. As all of you know, Montreal Canadiens’ GM Marc Bergevin tendered an offer sheet to Sebastian Aho in an attempt to lure the face of the Carolina Hurricanes franchise to Montreal.

If only Tom Dundon and Don Waddell had made it well-known to the league and the general public that they were going to match any and all offer sheets tendered to the superstar center months before the season ended.

In any case, the offseason antics between the two teams have developed into what is now a very heated budding rivalry. Its only fitting that the Hurricanes’ home opener is going to be against the team that sparked so much controversy in the offseason, especially on #HockeyTwitter.

For this one, I’m going to recommend that everyone try and make it to the PNC Arena to see this game in person on October 3rd, 2019 at (you guessed it) 7pm EST. Not only will you be present for the beginning of a beautiful international rivalry, you’ll be ensuring Tom Dundon doesn’t go broke paying Sebastian Aho his signing bonus this year (insert the heaviest of eyerolls).

In any case, all 82 (and then some, if you factor in playoffs) of the Carolina Hurricanes’ games are going to be a ‘must-watch’, but these five in particular stood out to me as carrying a bit more weight than your standard regular season matchup.

Now, if only Justin Williams would let us know his plans for the 2019-20 season.

Hot. The Marty Party!. light

Question for CC Readers: What Carolina Hurricanes’ games are you most excited for this season?

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