NHL Season Opens – Carolina Hurricanes Preview

Welcome to another week in North Carolina Sports.

As promised, we will take a look at the Carolina Hurricanes. Appropriate topic for the day as hockey season opens tonight.

Last year, the Hurricanes came alive in the final month or two of the NHL season and started summer a little late making it to the NHL’s final four – the conference finals. It did fall apart there, losing in four games to the eventual champions – the Pittsburgh Penguins. One thing I can say about the canes – even being in a smaller market, they are dedicated to winning. They lack the standout player, but the whole team is good enough to compete.

The Canes gave Cam Ward a 6 year contract… Something I dislike. Players on long contracts to to let up, I hope I am wrong. The Canes look to Staal, Whitney, Pikanen, and Tim Gleason an offseason acquisition. This could be the last season for Rod Brind’Amour – who I am sure wants to go out a winner.

The Canes need to improve on the power play – and hopefully their defense by committee can hold the scoring chances down. Overall it is going to be tough to beat the Capitals for the Southeast division, but come the trade deadline expect some moves, up or down based on how close they are!

Over in college football, North Carolina suffered a difficult (but earned) loss to Georgia Tech. Meanwhile, NC State surprised me beating the Pitt Panthers to improve to 3-1 – but two of those wins against lower division schools. Duke crushed NC Central, 49-14 – two touchdowns more than my prediction. Wake Forest lost to Boston College by a field goal thanks to a fumble in overtime. And East Carolina won a close one against UCF.

Upcoming games this week:
East Carolina (-2.5) at Marshall – 12:00pm
Virginia Tech at Duke (+17.5) – 12:00pm
Virginia at North Carolina (-13.5) – 12:00pm
NC State (-2.5) at Wake Forest – 3:30pm

NC State and Wake Forest is an in-state matchup… And the odds currently favor NC State… But somehow, state finds a way to lose games. So does Wake, I suppose. I’d take the points, perhaps buy the half point. I predict a 24-21 Deamon Deacons win.

Over in pro football, the Panthers lost on Monday night football. They just look awful. The players seem disorganized and the quarterback has 7 picks and 2 TDs. They doesn’t even in include the numerous fumbles! The defense isn’t clicking and the offense lacks confidence and leadership. Only good news: it’s a bye week.

Until next week, North Carolina!

about MaTTeD:
MaTTeD has been in the sports wagering biz for 10 years as an affiliate. Living in North Carolina, he is happy to contribute to the Carolina Gambler on a weekly basis.

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