3 keys to a Thanksgiving win in Philadelphia for the Hurricanes

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 16: Martin Necas #88 of the Carolina Hurricanes waits for a faceoff in the third period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on November 16, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hurricanes defeated the Golden Knights 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 16: Martin Necas #88 of the Carolina Hurricanes waits for a faceoff in the third period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on November 16, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hurricanes defeated the Golden Knights 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 20: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Staples Center on November 20, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 20: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Staples Center on November 20, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Carolina and the matinee mayhem

Who remembers the carnival that occurred the last time the Canes played in a matinee game? That game ended 5-4 after a complete and utter goal-fest through the first two periods was followed by Carolina shutting the door when they were in Los Angeles. Tonight is also a matinee, and they will need to be at their best and avoid so many heart attacks. I get this is Cardiac Cane, but please stop.

With a 3:30 start time, this is a weird start time for the Canes and they will need to be sharp when the game starts. If they decide to start late, the Philadelphia Flyers will pull away early. If the Flyers get the crowd going in the former Wachovia Center, then it’s going to be difficult to get back into this one. Starting sharply is going to be important to get two points from this one.

If Philadelphia does not start on time, Carolina will get a chance to dominate. With realistic expectations, I find it hard to imagine a scenario where a Flyers team competing for a playoff spot in the bloodbath that is the Metropolitan division doesn’t start on time when there’s an opponent coming in who you could be in direct competition with for a playoff spot.

This is really looking to be a mouthwatering game. The more I talk about it and the more I think about this matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes, the more I cannot wait for the puck to drop at 3:30 PM EST today. This is going to be a great game in Philadelphia and it’s going to be a great season series between these two Metropolitan Division rivals.

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