What they're saying about the Carolina Hurricanes home opener - finally

Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes, tonight at 7 p.m.

Carolina Hurricanes Coach Paul Maurice:
"I don't think we're going to fight trying to keep that emotion or that energy down tonight. I think tonight you want to try to use the home crowd. We are ready to get caught up a little bit in the home opener and put a bit of a show on, as long as you don't take it to extremes and don't try to do things with the puck that you shouldn't because you're at home. That's the real danger here against Washington, is if you try to get real fancy on them they'll burn you."

Washington Capitals Defenseman Mike Green:
"I don't know what it is. It's not quite a rivalry ,but our games are always interesting against those guys. They play hard, they've got some great players and I don't know what it is against that team, but it's always a nailbiter, that's for sure. There's not a second where you can take a break with these guys. They work their bags off and we know that and expect that from them."

Associated Press Sportswriter Joedy McCreary
"The young Carolina Hurricanes have proven those skeptics wrong who predicted they might be eliminated from the playoff chase before their home opener. They wound up emerging from a daunting season-opening seven-game road trip with a winning record while showing signs that they could be very much a factor in the Southeast Division."

Carolina Hurricanes Defenseman Jamie McBain
"One of the big things following a big road trip like that is camaraderie between the guys and just being able to gel with them and get to know them, espeically with the young group we have and getting to know the older guys. Obviously having the success on the ice, getting to come back with a winning record, that's huge after a tough trip like that."

Betus.com writer Dave Bond
"The Washington Capitals are sleeping giants ready to awaken but the Hurricanes have Cam Ward who is 7-1-1 with a 1.99 goals against average at home versus the Washington Capitals in his last nine games. The youngsters in Carolina should continue to surprise. If Washington wins it will be a close game guaranteed!"