The Nashville Predators entered the NHL in 1998, one year after the Carolina Hurricanes moved from Hartford and took up residence in North Carolina. Tuesday night, the two teams turned back the clock to the worst tendencies of the dead-puck era in which they entered the league more than 20 years ago.
Yes, the Hurricanes won 3-2 in overtime on the strength of two Jordan Staal goals, including the game-winner at 4:25 of the extra session, but no one was going to confuse this with the firewagon hockey that the Hurricanes have become known for.