Hurricanes welcome the Seattle Kraken to Raleigh for the first time

Tonight, we get to see the Carolina Hurricanes welcome a team they have never hosted before to PNC Arena. The 32nd addition to the NHL is the team installed into Seattle as the aim to Krak the Canes again tonight after topping the Eastern Conference leaders back at Climate Pledge Arena. So without further delay, let’s get Kraken. No, I will not apologize for either of my puns and I do plan on making more somewhere in here.

The big news for this one is that Frederik Andersen has been ruled out with a day-to-day issue and Alex Lyon was recalled from the Chicago Wolves on an emergency basis. All the fact it’s on an emergency basis means is that there’s a sudden injury or problem with Freddie less than 24 hours before puck drop and they need another goalie there and then. It also means he doesn’t require waivers to go back to Chicago.

Looking to continue to get back to winning ways after correcting a dismal performance in Washington with an overtime win at home to Pittsburgh, Carolina will try their hand against an opponent that has stuttered for its entire existence. That’s not a shot, it’s just that this is Seattle’s first Krak at this hockey thing. There will be a lot to watch for in this one, and a lot to keep an eye on.

Two former Hurricanes will be making their return to Raleigh. One is Haydn Fleury who was traded to Anaheim at the deadline last year. He was selected from Anaheim in the expansion draft when the league released the Kraken. Morgan Geekie will also be in this one. Seattle selected him from the Hurricanes themselves this past summer. Both were members of the Charlotte Checkers 2018-19 Calder Cup-winning team.

Watch for the Canes to come out of the gates aggressively. Some slow starts in their last three games have cost them three points and forced an overtime Friday night. If you’re looking for this to be a game in which the Hurricanes are set to blow the Kraken away, you’ll be mistaken. This is going to force the Canes to be active and require the Canes to play at somewhat of their best.

Seattle has not had a great season. 17-35-5 coming into this game, they’re 3 points above the worst place team in hockey having played 2 games more. Very much looking to the future and for some of their younger players to continue to come along, Carolina has no excuse not to win this game. They need 2 points here. No excuses and it doesn’t matter how. There are three days off for the team after this.

Question for Cardiac Cane readers: Let me know your score prediction below