Jordan Staal was to have played his first home game with the Hurricanes on Friday at PNC Arena against the New York Rangers.

Some home debut, too: Jordan and Eric Staal with the Canes, battling brother Marc Staal and the Rangers.

"I remember looking at that one on the calendar and circling that one," Jordan Staal said today. "That would have been pretty special."

Instead, because of the NHL lockout, Jordan Staal was in Rosemont, Ill., on Friday night. He was on the ice, at Allstate Arena playing in the "Champs for Charity" game along with the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews of the Blackhawks and Canes teammate Joe Corvo.

For Jordan Staal, the date June 22, 2012 was supposed to be memorable for one reason: it was his wedding day.

Staal would be married in Thunder Bay, Ont., and he would have a number of his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates on hand for the grand occasion.

Things soon changed. After the nuptials at 1 o'clock, everyone moved on to the reception, where toasts were to be made. But that's when Staal learned from his agent that his life had changed in another way -- he had been traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.

For the first time, this summer, the Hurricanes have identified a first-line caliber winger to play with Eric Staal as their top priority.

One could argue a No. 1 defenseman is a more pressing need, but let's not quibble. It's taken them so long to acknowledge that Staal has been held back by sub-par linemates that one should never discount such progress.

Jordan Staal figures he's heard just about every question from the media about being a Staal and playing against his brothers in the NHL and the family and growing up in Thunder Bay.

But here was a new one: how does it feel to be called Uncle Jordan?

"That's awesome. Definitely different," a smiling Staal said today after the Pittsburgh Penguins morning skate.

RALEIGH — The Penguins have the Hurricanes right where they want them, but that fourth and final series-clinching win is often the hardest to get.

The Hurricanes needed seven games against the Boston Bruins in the last round of the playoffs after taking a 3-1 lead and by the time they arrived in Boston for the final game, it seemed the Bruins had stole away all momentum. But they won in overtime.

In the last round, the Penguins also had a chance to finish off the Washington Capitals in Game 6 at home, but fell and needed Game 7 in Washington to clinch. It’s amazing how quickly momentum can shift. After all, the Penguins started their last series down 2-0.

Staff video by Chris Seward