Carolina Hurricanes: Three keys to big game in Sunrise
By Conor Power
Today, the 9-0 Carolina Hurricanes put their unbeaten record on the line as they travel to Sunrise, Florida to play the 9-0-1 Florida Panthers. With the Hurricanes facing their most difficult task of the season, tonight’s game could very easily be a playoff preview. These are two of the best teams in hockey. According to the standings, these are the two best teams in the NHL.
With a win tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes would equal the record for most wins in a row to start a season. They would draw level with the 2006-07 Buffalo Sabres who won 10 in a row. It would put this iteration of the Carolina Hurricanes in the record books. All Carolina needs to do is beat an opponent that they have had success with in the past.
Florida is 9-0-1, having lost their perfect record to the Boston Bruins. In their last game, they edged the Washington Capitals 5-4 in overtime. This is a team that can stay there with the best of them. Carolina’s task tonight is daunting. Overcome the only team above them in the standings. This is a game that’s going to have a lot of talent in it, and it’s a must-watch.
With a loss, Carolina risks losing their place at the top of the Metropolitan Division standings. With a win, Carolina will return to the top of the league’s standings, tie the all-time record for consecutive wins, and show that this is a team that is to be taken seriously. It’s a team built of skill against a team built of skill, and this could not be more perfectly poised if you wrote it in a storybook.