Carolina Hurricanes: Keys to Securing the Bag Against Florida
The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Florida Panthers tonight for the first time this season. The outcome of this matchup will determine who holds 1st place in the new Discover Central Division.
The Florida Panthers have come a long, long way since even last year. New additions Carter Verhaeghe and Patric Hornqvist have been lighting it up in Florida; they both have 12 points each in 13 games played (Verhaeghe leads the team in goals with 7g, 5a. Hornqvist with 6g, 6a).
Florida have also been able, as usual, to rely on star forwards Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau for point production as well. Huberdeau has 17 points (5g, 12a) in 13 games played, and Barkov has 14 points (5g, 9a) in 13 games played.
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The Carolina Hurricanes surely have their work cut out for them in tonight’s matchup. The Canes have been on a roll, turning in a 10-3-0 record, their best since 2005-06. I don’t need to remind anyone reading this what happened that year, but we’ll put that on the back-burner.
Florida has been just as good against most of the same teams; they’re currently sporting a 9-2-2 record- the best start for them in franchise history.
Tonight’s game will test the mettle of both teams. Which side has the better forward group? Which side has the more competent defense? Which side’s goaltending will stand tall? We’ll know in the next few hours.