When teams embark on a new season, the hope is that their season opener will be a positive sign of things to come, setting the tone for the next 81 games. The same goes for the players on an individual level. A good first game could set in motion a breakout campaign and a potential payday down the line or establish them as one of the new faces of the team.
Of course, there's a chance it's just a flash in the pan, but it doesn't feel that way at the time. With Thursday's opener looming, here are some of the best performances we've seen from Carolina Hurricanes in Game #1.