RALEIGH, N.C. -- Mikko Rantanen scored his first goal for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 3-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at Lenovo Center on Thursday.

The Finnish winger, obtained in mega trade with the Colorado Avalanche, earned his first goal as a Hurricane, while fellow newcomer Taylor Hall was a late scratch with an illness.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Forward Mikko Rantanen etched his first goal with his new team on Thursday, playing a pivotal role in the Carolina Hurricanes' 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Will he re-sign in Carolina after this season -- and if not, where else? And what will other contenders do to keep pace ahead of the March 7 deadline?

The newly acquired Mikko Rantanen is making himself right at home with his new team. In his first home game since being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 24, Rantanen recorded his first goal as a member of the squad.

Who won Friday night's blockbuster that saw Mikko Rantanen go from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes?

Can we anticipate Mikko Rantanen lighting the lamp when the Carolina Hurricanes face off with the Chicago Blackhawks at 7:00 PM ET on Thursday? To help you with your bets, check out the numbers and insights below.

Ryan Henkel (ryanhenkel10@gmail.com) is the Site Editor and Reporter for the Carolina Hurricanes team site with The Hockey News. A resident of Raleigh, NC, Henkel has spent the last four years covering the Canes and in his spare time, likes to cook. You can follow him @RyanHenkel_ on Twitter.

Mikko Rantanen, who played parts of ten seasons and won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, is joining the Carolina Hurricanes, the team

It’ll be hard to assess the impact of the Carolina Hurricanes’ acquisition of Mikko Rantanen for months, but a goal in his Lenovo Center debut doesn’t hurt.

After one of the biggest in-season blockbuster trades in recent history, could the Mikko Rantanen deal have a rippling effect?