T-minus four-and-a-half hours until puck drop for game one between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals.
During tonight’s game in the nation’s capital, we will learn a lot about this young, scrappy, and largely inexperienced Hurricanes team. Will they be able to reign in their emotions and play their game?
There’s going to be a lot to look out for, but here are some of the biggest keys for the Canes in game one.
Survive the first ten minutes
The defending Stanley Cup champions will have a raucous sold out crowd at Capital One Arena on Thursday, a hostile environment that the Hurricanes have to keep as quiet as possible through the early stages of the game.