Preview: Opening Night vs. Ottawa

RALEIGH, NC. - The Carolina Hurricanes begin their 2023-24 regular season Wednesday night, hosting the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena.

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When: Wednesday, October 11

Puck Drop: 7 p.m. ET

Watch: Bally Sports South, Bally Sports App

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Tonight's Projected Lineup: Click Here

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Welcome, Newcomers

• Michael Bunting and Dmitry Orlov will make their Canes regular-season debuts tonight after the organization landed the prized free agents this summer.  Should he be in the lineup, it would also be Brendan Lemieux's first game as well.

Welcome Back, Tony

• After producing a then team-record of 51 points in 64 games during his first season with the team, Tony DeAngelo returns to Raleigh for a second stint. He skated aside Orlov during training camp and quarterbacked the first power play unit.

Burnin' It Up

• DeAngelo's 51-point record was bested last season by Brent Burns, who totaled 61 points in 82 games last year.  The 38-year-old ironman also has 25 points in 24 career games against the Sens.

Skjeisy Train

• Speaking of point-producing defenseman, Brady Skjei will look to keep the ball rolling after a career year last season.  Finding the back of the net 18 times, the left-handed blueliner finished tied with Burns for the third-most goals by any defenseman in the NHL.

Stay Standard, Or Roll 11-7?

• With DeAngelo back in the mix, Carolina has seven defensemen capable of playing every night. After playing all seven and going with just 11 forwards for Friday's preseason finale against Nashville, could we see Rod Brind'Amour and staff stick with the same setup, or will Jalen Chatfield potentially be the odd man out to start the season?

In Net

• After Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta combined for 40 wins in 59 starts last season, the Canes take their "no number one" approach into a third season. The two won the Jennings Trophy together during the 2021-22 campaign, their first in Raleigh.

Hello From The Other Side

• Vladimir Tarasenko, whose name was linked to the Canes during the summer, will skate across the ice tonight, making his Senators debut after signing a one-year deal.

Injury Updates

• Forward Vasily Ponomarev will "miss some time" due to a knee injury suffered on the first day of training camp (9/22), per Rod Brind'Amour.
• Forward Andrei Svechnikov remains skating in a no-contact jersey as he makes his way back from ACL surgery in March. He was ruled out for Opening Night on Tuesday, October 10, but the word is that he is "really close" to making his season debut.
• Forward Ryan Suzuki suffered a "not serious" shoulder injury versus Nashville (exhibition) on Thursday, October 5.

What Are We Wearing?

• Carolina will be wearing their black uniforms. A complete uniform schedule for the season can be found here.

Additional Game Information

• Coming to tonight's game? Save $15 on parking by purchasing in advance. Click here to buy.

What's Next After Tonight?

• The Canes are scheduled to practice on Thursday before heading west to start a stint of six games away from home. Their next game action comes Saturday night in the City of Angels, taking on the Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET.

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