NHL announces Hurricanes to be on National TV 12 times

While there is no ABC game for the Hurricanes this year, one could argue this is the biggest showcase of a schedule they've had—befitting an American team that won the Stanley Cup. They are on national televsion two more times this season than last , and last year they didn't appear on the "proper" ESPN or ABC at all until the playoffs. A similar dynamic happened in previous seasons although they did get a Saturday game on ABC. This season, they not only will appear on Opening Night, they'll fill a Tuesday Night slot against the Bruins before ESPN forgets the NHL exists again with the NBA and NCAA basketball seasons starting up.

They also are scheduled to appear on TNT one more time this season versus last, three of those games being in Raleigh. Clearly the effect of the NHL on TNT crew spending time in Raleighwood during the Eastern Conference Finals and actually experiencing the atmosphere.

They will go two months between national appearances as the Pre-Thanksgiving game against Tampa will be in until they are shown against the Islanders. That's also their only January appearance, but February—despite being the month that starts with their mandated week off—will have the most games broadcast out with four.