The Carolina Hurricanes are moving on to bigger and brighter things in 2026. With last year in the past, there is no reason for them to look back now. The Canes put together a solid December, but there is no reason to become complacent now. Their lead atop the division is slim, with several teams hot on their heels.
While "new year, new me" isn't quite what the Canes will aim for, I'm sure they'd be happy with a good start to the new year with a more consistent January. We're also reaching the point in the season when teams start taking a hard look in the mirror and deciding what they need to do as they pursue a spot in the playoffs. We could be in for a very fun month.
January's slate is very front loaded for the Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have 15 games scheduled over the next 31 days, beginning tonight against the Canadiens. Over the first 19 days of the month, the Canes will play 11 of those games, with only one two-day gap between contests. During that time, they'll play three sets of back-to-backs, two of which involve traveling to New Jersey for the second half of the set.
The Devils are the only team that the Canes will meet twice this month, offering a wide array of opponents. They'll play three nationally televised games in January, two on ESPN+ and an afternoon game on TNT against the Sabres on January 19. They'll be at home more than they'll be on the road, with a 9-6 home-away spread.
5 Hurricanes games to watch in January
5. January 19 vs. Buffalo
By the time these two meet, things could be very different, but the Buffalo Sabres ended 2025 on a ten-game winning streak and planted in the second Wild Card spot. I can't believe that's a sentence I actually typed. This is the third and final meeting of the season between the two sides, with each team winning on home ice.
This game intrigues me for a number of reasons. First, it's a 1:30 national game on a Monday, with January 19 being MLK Jr. Day. Second, the Sabres are starting to look like a good team again. Third, it's the final of the Canes' 11 games in 19 days before things slow down a little. How much will they have in the tank by the time they reach this point in January?
4. January 31 at Washington
The final game of January is also the final game of the season series for these division rivals. Like Buffalo, each team has a win in the series, though the road team has been victorious in this case. The Capitals are one of many teams fighting for space in the division behind the Canes. By this point in the month, it's anyone's guess how things will look.
With Alex Ovechkin's future beyond this season a massive question mark, there's a possibility that this is the final time he'll face the Hurricanes in the regular season. That sentiment might bring a sigh of relief with it for Canes fans. I can't imagine what the first Canes-Caps game will look like post-Ovechkin. It's a world I'm ready for, if I'm being honest.
3. January 6 vs. Dallas
Only one NHL team defeated Brandon Bussi in regulation in 2025. That honor belongs to the Dallas Stars, who beat him through no fault of his own. The Canes' visit to Dallas was one of the most frustrating games of the season, with two of the Stars' goals coming from friendly fire that hit a Hurricane and went into the net.
This contest marks the first time that Mikko Rantanen returns to Raleigh since the Canes traded him in March. I won't speak for the Caniacs, but I don't think he'll get the warmest reception after spending just six weeks with the team. Regardless, this should be a very fun cross-conference matchup between two teams with Stanley Cup aspirations.
2. January 16 vs. Florida
The most glaring stain on the Canes' ledger in December was the three-game stretch against the Florida teams. In those three contests, the Canes faced the Panthers twice. On both occasions, the Canes held a multi-goal lead, and on both occasions, the Cats won. The loss in Raleigh was especially demoralizing, allowing five goals in the third period in a 5-2 loss.
Neither meeting in December featured Matthew Tkachuk. By mid-January, I expect to see Tkachuk back in the lineup for Florida, adding another dangerous player to their ranks. This will be a gut-check moment for the Hurricanes. How will they respond to those December losses? Will they respond at all, or will the Panthers continue to run their show?
1. January 3 vs. Colorado
The run the Colorado Avalanche have been on since the start of the season is one of the most remarkable runs I can ever recall. In 39 games, the Avalanche have only been bested twice in regulation. Now, they've lost seven times beyond regulation, and one of those times was against the Hurricanes. The Canes blew a lead but rebounded to win in a shootout in Denver.
Not only are these two teams meeting again. They're meeting in the same colors that they wore in Denver, meaning it'll really be the Hartford Whalers and the Quebec Nordiques meeting for the second time this season. Like with Rantanen, this will be a homecoming game for Martin Necas and Jack Drury, though I suspect their reception will be far warmer.