As the girlfriend of a major Carolina Hurricanes hockey fan…our house is a little crazy right now. Playoff hockey is back in Raleigh, and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes made sure to come back strong after two years away. The Hurricanes looked strong in their first-round matchup against the Nashville Predators, winning Game 1, 5-2 Monday night.
Jordan Staal had two goals in the Hurricanes big Game 1 win, while Alex Nedeljkovic had 22 saves in his first playoff game in the net. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Raleigh, and some tickets are still available.
Let’s take a look at some of the best images from Game 1.
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jani Hakanpaa #58 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators battle in front of the net during the first period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal during the first period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: A fan looks on during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jani Hakanpaa #58 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Mathieu Olivier #25 of the Nashville Predators scuffle following a whistle during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Fans cheer during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck as Ben Harpur #17 of the Nashville Predators gives chase during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Teuvo Teravainen #86 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators work for possession along the boards during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Warren Foegele #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Ben Harpur #17 of the Nashville Predators battle for possession during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators battle for possession during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators makes a shot attempt against Alex Nedeljkovic #39 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Nino Niederreiter #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jani Hakanpaa #58 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Fans look on during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores an empty net goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes attempts to knock the puck out of the air during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: A general view of the action between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Nashville Predators during the third period in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate their victory against the Nashville Predators following Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Fans cheer following the Carolina Hurricanes' victory over the Nashville Predators in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators v Carolina Hurricanes – Game One
ShareRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes is introduced as the first star following their victory over the Nashville Predators in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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