BY MICHAEL GARKO-SENIOR WRITER-@MICHAELGARKO
Expectations have been high going into this season for the Carolina Hurricanes. Those expectations reached an even higher point just minutes before the start of Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers, when Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos told the media that he considers this year's team to be Stanley Cup contenders.
"I feel like we are a Stanley Cup contender" Karmanos said in an interview. "We're going to win an awful lot of hockey games. I'm as optimistic as I've ever been. In 2005-2006, I went on the record when people were picking us to finish dead last and said we were going to be a really good hockey team, and I'm more optimistic about this team than I was then."
If the Hurricanes are going to contend for the Stanley Cup in 2013, they will need to do some searching after dropping their season opener 5-1 at division-rival Florida.
The defending Southeast Division Champions, Florida Panthers, started the scoring flurry just 3:37 into the first period on Jonathan Huberdeau's first career NHL goal. The Panthers would go on to score three more goals by the end of the period, and add one more three minutes into the second.
The key to the game lays in the power play statistics. Florida went 3 for 6 on the power play, while Carolina would go scoreless on their six opportunities.
Despite the lopsided scoreboard and penalty kill, the Hurricanes are able to take in some positive notes going into their home opener against Tampa Bay. Carolina outshot Florida 30-13 in the final two periods, recorded fewer penalties, and out hit the Panthers 28-22. The 'Canes would also provide several highlight reel moves, including Patrick Dwyer's first goal of the season.
The Hurricanes welcome Southeast Division rival Tampa Bay Lightning to the PNC Arena on Tuesday at 7PM. The Lightning defeated the Washington Capitals 6-3 on Saturday night behind two goals from Martin St. Louis.
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