Preseason play started off on a positive note for the Carolina Hurricanes. James Reimer and Anton Forsberg shared a shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first exhibition game.
The following night brought a rematch, a change of venue (shifting arenas from Amalie to PNC), but the same defensive result. Petr Mrazek and Alex Nedeljkovic combined to post the second Carolina shutout in as many games and things were looking pretty good.
Then came a 3-2 loss to the Capitals. The biggest swing took place against the Nashville Predators in a 3-0 loss on September 25.