Carolina Hurricanes Heating Up at the Right Time - But February Brings a New Kind of Challenge
The Carolina Hurricanes are entering February with momentum firmly on their side. After a sluggish start to the new year, they flipped the switch in January, going 9-1-3 over a 13-game stretch that vaulted them to the top of their division.
Now they sit five points clear in the standings and are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the most points in the Eastern Conference. That’s not just a hot streak - that’s a statement.
But here’s the twist: February is about to hit the brakes in a big way. With the NHL stepping aside for the Winter Olympics, the Canes will only play five games all month.
That’s it. No back-to-back grinds, no long road trips - just a handful of matchups before the league goes dark and the spotlight shifts to Italy for the return of best-on-best international hockey.
For Carolina, the mission is clear: start strong, stay sharp, and be ready to hit the gas again when the schedule picks back up.
February’s Light Load - But Still Plenty to Watch
Only five games are on the docket this month, and four of them are at home inside the Lenovo Center. The lone road trip?
A visit to Madison Square Garden. There are no traditional back-to-backs, though the opening game against the Kings will technically be the second half of a two-game sequence following a road tilt in Washington.
Three of the five games come against Atlantic Division opponents, and while the quantity is low, the quality of competition - especially post-Olympics - is high.
And while most of the roster will enjoy some rare midseason downtime, a few Hurricanes won’t be heading to the beach. Sebastian Aho, Jaccob Slavin, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Frederik Andersen are Olympic-bound, suiting up for their respective countries in Italy. The men’s tournament begins February 11, with Aho and Team Finland opening against Slovakia.
5 Games, 5 Storylines to Watch
February 1 vs. Los Angeles Kings
The Hurricanes kick off February by hosting the Kings in the second half of a back-to-back. The two teams haven’t seen each other since October, when Carolina visited California, but the stakes have only risen since then.
The Kings are in a dogfight for a Wild Card spot, trying to keep their playoff hopes alive - and maybe give Anze Kopitar one last postseason run. But they’ve made a habit of collecting overtime losses, leading the league in games that go past regulation. That makes them dangerous - not dominant, but hard to put away.
This game wraps up a grueling six-game Eastern Conference road swing for L.A., and it’s the kind of matchup where Carolina’s depth and home-ice advantage could really shine.
February 3 vs. Ottawa Senators
This is a quick rematch after the Hurricanes took care of business in Ottawa just days ago. The scoreboard said 4-1, but the game told a different story. Ottawa controlled large stretches, but Carolina made their chances count - thanks in large part to a stellar outing from Brandon Bussi in net.
The Senators are better than their record suggests. They’ve got talent, but shaky goaltending and a leaky penalty kill have kept them buried near the bottom of the Atlantic.
Still, if they can tighten things up after the break, they could be a late Wild Card spoiler. For now, Carolina can’t afford to take them lightly.
February 5 at New York Rangers
This one’s a little weird. The Rangers are in sell mode - and they’re not hiding it.
The front office has already started moving pieces, and Artemi Panarin has been scratched until after the Olympic break. That’s a clear signal that change is coming.
But don’t confuse a team in transition with an easy win. The Hurricanes have had their share of struggles at Madison Square Garden, though they’ve started to turn that narrative around with a shutout win earlier this season. They also took the last meeting in Raleigh in overtime.
It’s the final game before the Olympic pause, and Carolina will want to head into the break on a high note. No matter what’s happening off the ice for the Rangers, the Canes will need to bring their best on it.
February 26 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Welcome back, NHL. The Hurricanes return from the Olympic break with a heavyweight bout against the Lightning - the same team they’re currently tied with atop the East.
Their last meeting? A wild one.
Carolina built a 3-0 lead, then a 4-3 lead, and still walked away without the win. That loss sparked an 11-game win streak for Tampa Bay, who’ve been locked in a battle with Detroit for Atlantic Division supremacy ever since.
This game could have massive implications for seeding in the East. It’s also a showcase of elite talent, with Nikita Kucherov chasing the Art Ross Trophy and trying to keep pace with Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Buckle up.
February 28 vs. Detroit Red Wings
If there’s one game this month that still stings, it’s the last time Carolina faced the Red Wings. The Canes erased a three-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime - only to lose on a missed call that left plenty of fans and players fuming.
Now, Detroit comes to Raleigh for the rubber match. The Red Wings are on the verge of breaking a nine-year playoff drought, and if they can keep this pace, they might do more than just sneak in. They’re eyeing the Atlantic Division crown - something they haven’t claimed since 2011.
With the trade deadline looming, Detroit could still add more firepower. For now, this is a measuring-stick game for both teams - and one that could carry serious playoff implications down the line.
The Bottom Line
February may be light on games, but it’s heavy on meaning. The Hurricanes have positioned themselves as one of the East’s elite, but staying there requires more than just a hot January. They’ll need to stay sharp through the Olympic lull, take care of business in the games they do play, and be ready to hit the ground running when the schedule ramps back up.
If they manage all that, this could be the start of something special in Carolina.