Hurricanes at Blackhawks – The Recap

After a two-day layoff, the Carolina Hurricanes were back in action – this time in Chicago to take on the Blackhawks.  In net for the first time in 38 games was Freddie Andersen, who had been rehabbing a lower body injury.  It was a toss up as to who might be in net – and with Rod, you can never really get a good read, but this made sense.

The Hurricanes have four of their next five games on the road, starting with this game – so a good start was paramount. 

Below are my thoughts on the game:

• Over a couple power plays in the game, it really looks like the 2^nd unit has the chemistry and are getting the best chances on net.  This isn’t to say they are the better unit – right now, because Gostisbehere is just coming back from injury, it seems as though the 1^st unit isn’t as in sync as they were earlier in the year.  To further compound things, there aren’t as many opportunities to practice together except for in games.  Simply put, getting the chemistry back may take a couple more games. 
• I thought Freddie looked very sharp throughout stretches of the game.  He saw several Grade-A opportunities early on and was up to the task.  It was good to see.  A breakdown of the three goals Chicago scored:
• The pass to Kurashev from Donato was a great look – it did go through the paint, to which Tripp said it could have been a potential stick play for Andersen to alter the pass a little.  Instead, it was a seed right to the tape and a tap lifted just above the stick heel to the back of the net.
• Bertuzzi pops a goal off Andersen’s back.  Nifty move by Bertuzzi – Andersen probably needs to get back to his net – he seemed to not know where the puck was and when he realized, it was too late.
• The third goal was another goal that was scored by a pass through the paint.  Brent Burns played the role of spectator, though, watching a play that was covered by Slavin turn into a pass that went right past him and into the back of the net. 
• More on Frederick Andersen – a lot has been talked about needing another goalie to work alongside Kochetkov.  Assuming Andersen can stay healthy, I think they can be an OK 1-2 punch in net heading into the playoffs.  Unfortunately, Andersen’s health has been the question mark.  I stand by my statements before the season started – I’d rather see Pyotr Kochetkov in net and a first-round exit than Frederick Andersen in net and we bow out in the Conference Semis.  Kochetkov can’t develop into the guy we want him to be without the opportunity to work the playoffs.  With all that said, I hope Freddie can stay healthy the rest of the way.
• I thought Eric Robinson and Sean Walker (offensively) were noticeable in the 1^st period.  Robinson, in particular, with his ability to use his speed to create issues below the goal line and then to muck things up in the neutral zone.  Not a lot of stat sheet things for Eric – just doing things the right way.  Robinson was rewarded with a primary assist in the 2^nd on a nifty feed to Kotkaniemi. 
• The combination of Martinook-Staal-Jarvis has created a lot of opportunities and, in my eyes, is the “1^st line”, if we are grading lines.  This line continues to grind and work and it is paying dividends.  The third goal to tie things was a great example of how the group of forwards battle, not just below the goal line but also in front of the net.
• Speaking of Seth Jarvis – two specific areas I want to highlight:
• The short-handed goal was sweet – that got us off the mat, because frankly, after the first 20 minutes, it really didn’t feel like we were imposing our will the way we should against an opponent like Chicago.  Credit to Sebastian Aho for the defensive play and the sweet pass to Jarvis for the goal.
• Tied at two, Seth had a backcheck that altered a chance for Chicago.  His growth on the defensive end can’t be overstated – when we lost Teuvo Teravainen, I thought we may take a little bit of a step back on the wing defensively (and clearly lose some goal scoring).  Seth Jarvis is becoming/has become that guy.
• Jackson Blake is becoming a mini-Seth Jarvis in the way he plays.  He’s continuing to work hard and earn the trust of not only his teammates but the coaching staff.  He’s doing some great things that aren’t showing up on the stat sheet (backchecks, hustle plays to avoid icing, getting in front of the net) and playing with a lot of energy.  Keep it up kid!
• Former Hurricanes Petr Mrazek and Teuvo Teravainen both had solid nights against us – and it  seemed like Petr Mrazek got up for this game against us.
• Was it me, or did I see a Slavin-Chatfield pairing in the closing minute of regulation?  Could this be a change in approach of how we play defensively in the final minutes with a lead/tied?  This is something to keep an eye on.
• Mike Maniscalco said it with us on Incident 2 – when it’s 3-on-3 hockey, Martin Necas is someone at the top of the list in a fantasy draft.  The Chicago Blackhawks apparently felt the same way – they had three dudes looking straight at him with the puck when he fed Aho for that game winner.  Excellent pass with pace.  Necas is such a weapon with more available ice.  This is why I believe that Necas and Robinson should be married at opposite wings and then figure out if KK or Drury (or someone else – more on that in a second) will center it.  Robinson, as discussed on the Podcast, can really open up just the slightest bit of space for someone like Necas, who has the finishing skills to bury the puck.
• Sebastian Aho – the quietest point per game player in the league. 
• The rumor mill:  There has been a lot of talk about the trade deadline and there have been some grumblings about a move to bring in JT Miller from Vancouver.  Of course, to add someone, you must subtract one or a couple people.  Reading the tea leaves, it sounds as though Vancouver might have some interest in Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Jack Roslovic (who has come up kind of small these last several games – putting up a 0-for-2025 – 0 goals, 0 assists so far this calendar year) and I can only assume a prospect.  If that prospect has to be Felix Unger-Sorum, I say do it.  A center grouping of Aho, Miller, Staal and Drury works for me.  That puts Felix Unger-Sorum as someone who will likely be second man up (with Suzuki doing great work in Chicago currently).  Putting the pairings at something like:
• Svech-Aho-?
• Robinson-Miller-Necas
• Jarvis-Staal-Martinook
• Blake-Drury-Carrier
• I have a question mark at the top wing because I just don’t know if there is another deal to be made to bring in one other piece or if we give someone like Bradley Nadeau a chance.   We could also run with Blake on the top line and Tyson Jost on the 4^th line with Drury and Carrier.  I could also see 11 and 7 as a potential option to get more ice time to your primary playmakers and allow some release of pressure on the right side of the D with a Morrow call up. 

After all was said and done, the Canes eventually got to their game and won 4-3.  I do have some concerns, though.  In our last three games, we have started behind the 8-ball, giving up early leads and eventually have to chase the game.  Let’s hope we can start the game on time tomorrow night in Dallas against the Stars.