Stadium: PNC Arena (Rila)
Carolina Hurricanes (Position Div.N.-NP.-HP.-H.Term.)
Although he finished last year with the 3rd best performance in the entire league, in the playoffs in the "8" phase he was relatively easily eliminated by the later champions Tampa Bay with 4-2. In the pre-season he did not show a good face and it seems that he needs time to tie the team and find the necessary cohesion. This year the goal is none other than a better course compared to last year. The transfers of Cole I. (A.) & Kotkaniemi J. (E.) stand out from the transfers, while Bean J. (A), Foegele O. (E.) left. Absent for the premiere are Gardiner J. (A.) and Trochek V. (E.).
New York Islanders (Div.N.-NP.-HP.-H.
It wants to step on last season and continue its upward trend. Although he finished 4th in the Eastern Division and with consecutive home defects, he managed to reach the semifinals and was hardly eliminated by the later champions Tampa Bay. Nobody expected them to reach that high and they did it fairly with nice play. The pre-season started well and showed that they have the rhythm they want. In the transfer window he lost Leady N. (A) but got Chara Z. (A) and several outside the NHL. Varmalov S. (T.) & Martin M. (E.) are given doubts.
The "hurricanes" are not a bad team, but to give a favorite at the beginning I consider it slightly wrong with what we have seen so far. The "islanders" have been doing well since last year and may be able to win the match even on penalties. Double included extra time and penalty.