Hurricanes at Panthers
The Florida Panthers won the franchise's first Southeast Division title last season. If the Panthers wish to repeat the feat in 2013, they'll need to fend off foes like the new-look Carolina Hurricanes - who will pay a visit on Saturday to open the season. Florida's brilliant campaign came to a bitter end after seven hard-fought games at the hands of New Jersey in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
While the Panthers qualified for the NHL's second season, Carolina wasn't as fortunate. The Hurricanes looked to remedy that in the offseason by acquiring center Jordan Staal (25 goals, 25 assists) - yes, Eric's brother - from Pittsburgh with a 10-year, $60 million deal. Also, top-line wing Alexander Semin came over from Southeast Division rival Washington to add some scoring punch.
TV: 7:30 p.m., FSCR (Carolina), FSFL (Florida)
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (2011-12: 33-33-16, 5th Southeast Division): Jeff Skinner overcame injuries to collect 20 goals in his second season for coach Kirk Muller's squad. Goaltender Cam Ward will receive a boost with the returns of defensemen Joni Pitkanen and Joe Corvo. Pitkanen played just 30 games last season due to a concussion and a knee injury while Corvo will make his third tour of duty with Carolina after signing on the first day of free agency.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (2011-12: 38-26-18, 1st Southeast Division): Kevin Dineen's team will have a similar look to last season - from Tomas Fleischmann (team-leading 27 goals, 61 points) and Stephen Weiss down to veteran goaltender Jose Theodore (22-16-11, 2.46 GAA). Lady Byng recipient Brian Campbell (team-leading 49 assists) and veteran Ed Jovanovski will shore up the blue line along with promising 22-year-old Dmitry Kulikov (career-best 28 points), who inked a two-year deal on Thursday.
OVERTIME
1. Eric Staal led the Hurricanes with 24 goals and 46 assists. Jussi Jokinen was second on the team with 34 assists.
2. The Panthers inked veteran Alexei Kovalev to a one-year deal on Friday. The 39-year-old has played 18 seasons in the NHL.
3. Florida won five of six meetings with Carolina - including a 4-1 triumph in the season finale.