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Carolina Hurricanes: 3 Keys to Win Season Opener vs. Montreal

By Tony Trotmann

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 24: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime on Montreal Canadiens Goalie Carey Price (31) during a game between the Montreal Canadiens at the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on March 24, 2019. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 24: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime on Montreal Canadiens Goalie Carey Price (31) during a game between the Montreal Canadiens at the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on March 24, 2019. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 24: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime on Montreal Canadiens Goalie Carey Price (31) during a game between the Montreal Canadiens at the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on March 24, 2019. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 24: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime on Montreal Canadiens Goalie Carey Price (31) during a game between the Montreal Canadiens at the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on March 24, 2019. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

It’s been a long offseason and a long preseason… but we are here. It is FINALLY October and it is finally hockey season, the Carolina Hurricanes face off in their first regular 2019-2020 season game against the Montreal Canadiens.

A rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes has been on and off for the last two decades. However, things started really blowing up when Montreal offer-sheeted Sebastian Aho on July 1st. Ever since, the two fanbases have been at each other’s throats.

Montreal barely missed the playoffs last season, so it shouldn’t be a shocker that this team is going to do their best to not make it close. You can expect the Canadiens to bring one desperate game, they need this game more than the Hurricanes do.

Their offensive corps should be heating up more with Max Domi and Jesperi Kotkaniemi having another season of experience under their belts. Losing Antti Niemi, they upgraded to Keith Kinkaid, who will backup Carey Price, their goaltending looks better, as well. Their question mark is on their defense.

Montreal will be no easy pushover. The Carolina Hurricanes are going to have to bring their A game, they’ve set up a good-looking roster for Opening Night. We’ve waited about five months for real hockey, but five months for a win. The last four games that counted for the Hurricanes didn’t go too well, what do the Canes need to win at home, with a packed house, and possibly a storm surge?

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