The Hurricanes and Penguins clash at PNC Arena

Last night, the Carolina Hurricanes were soundly beaten by the Washington Capitals. Carolina’s offense looked like a shell of what we know it can be and what we know it can do. They look to show us that the Carolina Hurricanes are still among the best of the best as they return to PNC Arena to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins for another clash at the top of the Metropolitan Division.

Pittsburgh come into this game after obliterating the Tampa Bay Lightning last night, as the two most recent repeat Stanley Cup Champions went toe to toe. This has the potential to be a fantastic game. Both teams played last night, and both teams will be tired. However, this is not going to be the same game that it was when the teams clashed in the Steel City of Pittsburgh.

After seeing the big Dane start for the Canes last night, we’re all expecting to see Carolina’s Finnish goaltender tonight Antti Raanta. When we last saw the undrafted netminder, he was quite spectacular in his performance in Motown, despite an abysmal performance from the skater group in front of him. He very much stole the Hurricanes a point from that game with Detroit, and it’s very likely we see him on the second half of this back-to-back.

Carolina cannot play the same way they did in that trash pile of a performance that they put on display when they played in DC. We know that the Canes are one of the best teams in the NHL, but they did not show us that at all when they played against Washington last night. They have a chance to make things right and straighten out that whole misunderstanding. Beat the Pittsburgh Penguins and all is forgiven. This is a big game for both teams.

Question for Cardiac Cane readers: Score predictions?