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 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.
Alex Nedeljkovic #39 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.
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators and Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Fans cheer during the first 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: A general view of empty seats prior to 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: A fan looks on prior to 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: The Nashville Predators skate prior to Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jesper Fast #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Ben Harpur #17 of the Nashville Predators scuffle following a whistle 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
Alex Nedeljkovic #39 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.
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators and Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Fans cheer during the first 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: A general view of empty seats prior to 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: A fan looks on prior to 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)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: The Nashville Predators skate prior to Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on May 17, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jesper Fast #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Ben Harpur #17 of the Nashville Predators scuffle following a whistle 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)
RALEIGH, 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)