Canadiens @ Hurricanes

Who will WIN this matchup?

Montreal Canadiens

@ Carolina Hurricanes

Starting Goalies:

Carey Price (MON): Unconfirmed

Petr Mrazek (CAR): Likely

Current odds:

Montreal Canadiens: (+135)

Carolina Hurricanes: (-155)

• The Carolina Hurricanes created some special memories last season but they prefer to look ahead rather than dwell on what they accomplished and what might have been. After a stunning run to the Eastern Conference finals in their first trip to the playoffs in 10 seasons, Carolina enters the 2019-20 campaign with high hopes as they host the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. The Hurricanes made a stirring stretch run to end their lengthy postseason drought and pulled off a stunning upset by knocking off reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington, but coach Rod Brind’Amour doesn’t want his players to be satisfied. “We had a good year, but we have to back it up. You gotta keep it going,” Brind’Amour said. “If we build on that momentum, we’re going to be OK. But if we go backwards, it’s going to take longer to dig out.”

• The Canadiens know that feeling after missing the playoffs two years running, although they finished only four points behind third-place Toronto in the Atlantic Division last season. “It’s always exciting to get a fresh start on the season,” Montreal goaltender Carey Price said. “We’ve got a clean slate, and we’re just looking to get off to a good start and focus on going 1-for-1.”

• Montreal’s hopes again will rest on veteran goaltender Carey Price, who rebounded from an injury-riddled campaign in 2017-18 to post 35 victories last season. Former New Jersey netminder Keith Kinkaid provides a solid backup but the Canadiens need a strong season from towering defenseman Shea Weber, who has missed 80 games the past two seasons — one reason why the team had one of the most feeble power plays in 2018-19. Max Domi established career highs with 28 goals and 72 points in his first season with Montreal while Brendan Gallagher scored 33 times and Tomas Tatar netted 25 goals.

• The most notable change for Carolina will be the absence of Justin Faulk after his trade late to St. Louis last month, but fellow defenseman Joel Edmundson came back in the deal and Jake Gardiner was signed to join a strong blue-line corps headed by Dougie Hamilton. Petr Mrazek resurrected his career with Carolina last season, posting a .914 save percentage and four shutouts, and will have a capable backup in James Reimer. Center Sebastian Aho set career highs across the board with 30 goals, 53 assists and 83 points while fellow Finnish forward Teuvo Teravainen was second on the team with 76 points.

• Hurricanes D Haydn Fleury will square off against his younger brother, Canadiens D Cale Fleury.

• Price was 1-1-1 with eight goals allowed in three starts versus Carolina last season.

• The status of Hurricanes F Ryan Dzingel (leg) is unclear for the opener.