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2021 NHL Stadium Series: Five Opponents That Could Match-up with the Carolina Hurricanes

By Jason Mariani |
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 23: Fireworks are seen prior to the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field on February 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 23: Fireworks are seen prior to the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field on February 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 23: Fireworks are seen prior to the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field on February 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hurricanes are next. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 23: Fireworks are seen prior to the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field on February 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hurricanes are next. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The 2021 Stadium Series Game is going to the Carolina Hurricanes and the City of Raleigh. But who should be the other team in the mix?

The Carolina Hurricanes will be hosting their very first outdoor game on February 20th 2021. There are so many things to look forward too when it comes to this event, but the one question many fans have is who are the Carolina Hurricanes going to face-off against?

There are so many reasons to be excited for 2021 NHL Stadium Series for Hurricanes fans whether it be the game itself, the atmosphere, the tailgate, or the big name concert. But the one question many Canes fans have is who will they be playing against in the outdoor game at Carter Finley Stadium?

Many people thought that the Washington Capitals would be the team announced to play the Carolina Hurricanes for the 2021 Stadium Series but as of right now that is not the case. Whether it be a Metropolitan Division rival, a team that has yet to play an outdoor game, or any other team for that matter, it is bound to be a great match-up.

Let’s take a look at some potential opponents who will come play in Carter-Finley Stadium on February 20th 2021 .

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 16: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Nathan Gerbe #24 of the Columbus Blue Jackets battle for control of the puck during the game on January 16, 2020 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 16: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Nathan Gerbe #24 of the Columbus Blue Jackets battle for control of the puck during the game on January 16, 2020 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Columbus Blue Jackets 

The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the top opponents that the Carolina Hurricanes could face-off with, should the Hurricanes play a team in the Metropolitan division. The Blue Jackets and Hurricanes have been neck and neck as of late when it comes to the standings and playoff positions for both teams.

Although, the Hurricanes have never really had a rivalry when it comes to the Blue Jackets, this could be the start of a metro division rivalry for years to come. As I said, both Columbus and Carolina are in very identical spots this season and the race between them from now until April is going to be something very fun and a bit worrisome to watch.

Have they played in an outdoor game before?:  No. The Columbus Blue Jackets have yet to play in an outdoor NHL game, another reason why they would be a fun match-up against the Carolina Hurricanes.

RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 29: Dan Hamhuis #5 of the Nashville Predators controls the puck away from Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL game on November 29, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 29: Dan Hamhuis #5 of the Nashville Predators controls the puck away from Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL game on November 29, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are another team that could be a possible opponent in the 2021 Stadium Series next year. The Predators have been struggling a bit as of late and if the playoffs started today they would not make it.

The Predators and Hurricanes have built a nice southern rivalry over the past two seasons though, playing each other twice in both preseasons as well as twice in each regular season over the past two years.

This years mom’s trip hosted by the Hurricanes saw them getting to visit the music city in Tennessee and even writing their own song about their “bunch of sweet Cane jerks”. I am being told this song is already breaking billboard records as well.

Have they played in an outdoor game before?  

Yes. The Predators got to participate in their very first NHL outdoor game this season, playing in the 2020 Winter Classic which was played in Dallas, Texas at the Cotton Bowl. Since the Predators just got to play an outdoor game this season, it looks more unlikely that the NHL would let them play another next year but they have let other teams do it before.

RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 01: Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Maxime Lagace (33) makes a save on a shot by Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) during a game between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes on February 1, 2019, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 01: Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Maxime Lagace (33) makes a save on a shot by Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) during a game between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes on February 1, 2019, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights are another team that could face-off against the Carolina Hurricanes next season. Playing in just their third NHL season this year the Knights have defied many odds and came into the NHL shocking hockey fans all around.

In their first season alone they managed to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals before being beaten by the Washington Capitals and the cup-less (not anymore sadly) Alex Ovechkin.

Although, the Knights and Hurricanes don’t have a big rivalry and have only played each other six times total, both teams have a lot in common. In the past two seasons, both teams have been underdogs and predicted by many to not perform well and not make the playoffs but the Knights and Hurricanes are here to prove fans wrong.

Have they played in an outdoor game before?: 

No. The Knights, being in only their 3rd NHL season, have not gotten the chance to play outdoors just yet, which means them playing in the 2021 Stadium Series could very well happen. With how good the Knights have been since their NHL debut I’m willing to bet they get an outdoor bid within the next season or two.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 31: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates alongside Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on March 31, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 31: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates alongside Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on March 31, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are another team that could be a potential opponent against the Hurricanes in the 2021 Stadium Series. The Penguins are having another great year as they almost always do, especially in the second half of the season.

The Hurricanes have always had a rivalry with the Penguins since they have played them many times before in the playoffs and both teams are in the Metropolitan Division. As of late though, the Hurricanes have been competing and climbing the rankings in the Metro, making the Penguins even more of an opponent and rival.

I know many fans don’t like the idea of the Penguins being the opponent on February 20th 2021 and a great reason is because of all of the transplant Penguins fans here in NC. Nonetheless, it is up to the Caniacs to fill up all those 57,000+ seats at Carter Finley before anybody else!

Have they played in an outdoor game before?: Yes,and get ready for this. The Pittsburgh Penguins have played in a total of five outdoor games. I think the NHL should really let the five teams that have yet to play an outdoor game participate in one before the Penguins get another outdoor game but hey I’m not Gary Bettman.

RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 05: Tampa Bay Lightning Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) finds a loose puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes Center Sebastian Aho (20) during a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes on January 5, 2020 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 05: Tampa Bay Lightning Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) finds a loose puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes Center Sebastian Aho (20) during a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes on January 5, 2020 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Lightning 

The Tampa Bay Lightning are another big fan favorite when it comes to who the Hurricanes could match-up against for the Stadium Series. The Lightning are currently second in the NHL with a very impressive 40-16-5 record. The Lightning was the clear front-runner and most predicted team to win the Stanley Cup last season but the Columbus Blue Jackets shockingly swept the Lightning 4-0.

Tampa and Carolina have never really had a big rivalry aside from playing each-other in the preseason every year and three times during the regular season, but now could be the time to build one with the Lightning. Both teams are currently on the rise and have a very talented young core group of players. Plus, both are southern hockey teams.

Imagine a red vs blue battle on the frozen ice on top of Carter Finley Stadium. It sure would be a beautiful sight and the jerseys alone are a great reason why the Lightning would be a fantastic match-up for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Have they played in an outdoor game before?: 

No, the Tampa Bay Lightning have yet to play an outdoor game but the fans have been asking for one for quite some time. There’s a very good argument to be made on why they deserve an outdoor game sooner rather than later, especially considering they are a team on the rise and they are getting a lot of attention now a days, just like the Carolina Hurricanes.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – MARCH 03: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs controls the puck against Jakub Jerabek #28 and Jay Beagle #83 of the Washington Capitals during Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game at United States Naval Academy on March 3, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – MARCH 03: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs controls the puck against Jakub Jerabek #28 and Jay Beagle #83 of the Washington Capitals during Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game at United States Naval Academy on March 3, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Final Thoughts

With the Carolina Hurricanes finally receiving an outdoor game and having it played in Raleigh, NC there are many different teams that could match-up with the Canes. Here are some honorable mentions of other teams that could get selected as well.

Washington Capitals – The Capitals were everybody’s first thought when rumors leaked out that the Hurricanes would be getting an outdoor game.

Many Hurricanes fans (myself included) figured that the Capitals would be announced as the opponent considering they are the Hurricanes biggest rival currently and have an interesting history since last season and the playoffs. Sadly, this claim was shot down by the Capitals media and now has everybody wondering if they could be our match-up at all.

Florida Panthers – The Florida Panthers are another potential opponent that could end up playing against the Carolina Hurricanes in Carter Finley Stadium next year.

Aside from being a team on the rise though and being a southern NHL team, the Panthers and Hurricanes don’t have much in common and don’t really have a rivalry. An outdoor game for the Panthers though would be their first as they have never been a part of one before.

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New Jersey Devils – The New Jersey Devils could be another potential opponent for the 2021 Stadium Series against the Hurricanes.

The Devils are a Metropolitan Division team and although they are not much of a rival with the Hurricanes today, they do have a good amount of history that goes back in time. The Devils have played one outdoor game though, being the 2014 Stadium Series against the New York Rangers.

No matter who the Hurricanes end up playing on February 20th 2021 it is bound to be a great game and an even greater time for hockey fans all around NC. Let the countdown begin!

Question for CC Readers: Who do you want to see the Carolina Hurricanes face-off against in the 2021 NHL Stadium Series?

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