The Carolina Hurricanes will be some of the most important matches for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The opening of training camp is about two weeks away, but it’s not too soon to look ahead at regular season matchups for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

As a whole, the 2022-23 season was tough for the Penguins as they missed the postseason for the first time since 2006.

After missing the postseason by just a single point, it’s easy to look a specific game or two that may have derailed the entire season.

The Penguins need to look broader, though, as one team in particular had their number all season.

If the Penguins have any plans of returning to the playoffs, they will need to get over the hump that is the Carolina Hurricanes.

In four matchups during the 2022-23 season, the Penguins went 0-2-2 against the Hurricanes all in games separated by a single goal.

Dig even deeper and you see that the Penguins had a lead in at some point in three of the four contests.

Blowing leads turned in to the Penguins’ specialty in 2022-23, but dropping games like that to a Metropolitan Division rival will only set you back further.

The Hurricanes are early choices as the next Stanley Cup Champions; trying to bounce back against them specifically won’t be easy for the Penguins, but they’ll have to find a way.

Whether the it’s stealing wins or just learning how to maintain leads, each of the four upcoming matches with the Hurricanes will be crucial to the Penguins success in 2023-24.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.

Sidney Crosby Has Chance for One Last 100-Point Season

Penguins Defensemen Have Solid Odds To Win Norris

Kris Letang's New Role on Penguins' Top Power Play

Connor Bedard Will Have 'Tough' NHL Debut Against Penguins

Penguins Hire Doug Wilson as Senior Advisor

• undefined
• undefined