The Year in Canes
What a year it's been for the Hurricanes.
It began in January with an improbable run that snapped a 10-year playoff drought, continuing into May with the Canes' run to the Eastern Conference Final.
The Canes have brought that good fortune into the 2019-20 season, as they currently occupy a wild card playoff spot through 39 games.
In total during 2019, the Hurricanes have posted a 53-26-4 record and 110 points, the second-most wins and fourth-most points in the calendar year.
Happy New Year!
The Hurricanes are playing on New Year's Eve for the second consecutive season and 18th time in franchise history.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Last season, the Canes topped the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-1, the game that kicked off a 31-12-2 run through the last half of the 2018-19 regular season.
This year, the Canes bring a 23-14-2 record into the game.
Nino Heating Up
Nino Niederreiter is riding a four-game point streak (1g, 4a) after totaling the same five-point stat line (1g, 4a) in his previous 14 games.
In 18 career games against Montreal, Niederrieter has recorded seven goals and 10 points.
The Last Meeting
This New Year's Eve match-up is a rematch of Opening Night, in which the Hurricanes landed a
4-3 shootout victory over the Canadiens
. With goals from Lucas Wallmark and Martin Necas, the Canes grabbed a 2-0 advantage, but the Habs scored three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Erik Haula tied the game in the third period, and in the shootout, Dougie Hamilton scored the lone goal and Petr Mrazek turned away the three shots he faced.
