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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: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes checks Victor Mete #53 of the Montreal Canadiens into the boards during an NHL game on March 24, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 24: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes checks Victor Mete #53 of the Montreal Canadiens into the boards during an NHL game on March 24, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Lay the Body

The mood will already be in the building. The Hurricanes fans in the PNC Arena do not like the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens will want to go full speed right from the get-go of this game, and bringing physicality will slow them down.

Although it is a key to the game, it is still a question mark who could bring the physicality that was lost with Micheal Ferland. Most could see that in Julien Gauthier in the preseason, but he was sent down to the Charlotte Checkers this week. It could be Jordan Martinook and Brock McGinn, perhaps even Andrei Svechnikov.

Bringing the physicality will make the crowd go wild. Make them pay for offer sheeting Aho. Show them that PNC Arena is the home for the Hurricanes and that playing a game here as the road team is going to sting.

Even if it is not laying a big hit, pushing the Canadiens around in front of the goalie’s crease or evicting them out of the corners in a puck battle, would go a long way. Use the body to force Montreal to be out of position.

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