Preview: Hurricanes at Blues
Edmundson faces former team for the first time
by Michael Smith @MSmithCanes / CarolinaHurricanes.com
ST. LOUIS - The Carolina Hurricanes begin a four-game road trip on Tuesday with a match-up against the defending Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues.
Joel Edmundson is making his return to St. Louis for the first time since the September trade that brought him to Raleigh, while on the other side of the ice, Justin Faulk will square off against his former team for the first time, as well.
The Bling Ring
Joel Edmundson registered seven points (1g, 6a) in 22 games in the 2019 postseason to help the St. Louis Blues capture their first-ever Stanley Cup championship. Edmundson will receive his Stanley Cup ring on Tuesday, and his parents will be in the building.
"That's going to be an emotional night for him. Well-deserved, obviously," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said after practice on Monday. "I'm happy for him that that happened and they're doing that for him."
Edmundson was drafted by the Blues in the second round (46th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft and totaled 52 points (13g, 39a) in 269 career games with St. Louis from 2015-19.
Familiar Face
Just as Edmundson will for the first time be facing the club that drafted him, so too will Justin Faulk.
Faulk, the piece that went to St. Louis in exchange for Edmundson, prospect Dominik Bokk and a 2021 draft pick, was the 37th overall selection (second round) in the 2010 NHL Draft. He went on to play 559 career games with the Canes, ranking 10th in franchise history in games played, and totaled 85 goals and 258 points, both marks that rank first among all defensemen in franchise history.
Video: Thank you, Justin Faulk
"He was a huge part of what we were able to accomplish last year. He was a big part of this franchise for a long time," Brind'Amour said. "Fond memories of Justin. I always thought he came to play. He was a good player for us. That's the way the game goes, though. It's a business, too."
On the Road Again
After playing 12 of their last 14 games at home, the Hurricanes hit the road for a four-game road trip through the Central and Pacific Divisions. The Canes are 0-4-0 in their last four games on the road, but prior to that collected nine of a possible 10 points on a five-game swing through Western Canada and Colorado.
Video: Brind'Amour: "Got to find a way to come up with wins"
"It feels like a month now or whatever that we've been here [at home]. We've got to go play these games against tough teams," Brind'Amour said. "We've got to find a way to come up with wins and play good hockey."
The Opposition
The Blues return to St. Louis following a 1-3-0 four-game road trip through Western Canada. Their lone win of the trip came in the shootout in Calgary in late January, while they most recently dropped a 5-2 decision in Winnipeg on Saturday. St. Louis will play its next three games at home, where the team is riding a 10-game point streak (9-0-1).
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- In the Room: Rod Brind'Amour, Feb. 3
- In the Room: Brett Pesce, Feb. 3
- Highlights: CAR 4, VAN 3 (SO)
- Super Bowl Storm Surge
- Brind'Amour's Postgame Speech: Feb. 2 vs. VAN
- Williams Gets to Work
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