Hurricanes at Rangers – The Recap

Coming into the night, the Carolina Hurricanes were riding a 5-game point streak.  While each of the games have had their ups and downs, in the NHL, you bank your points when you can.  In the last game against the Islanders, we were able to secure a point – after getting ahead of the game 2-0 early, the Islanders quietly and patiently came back to win 3-2 in overtime on a turnover by Andrii Svechnikov in his own offensive end.

The idea would be to see if we could get some added chemistry with our new guys – Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall.  Having the luxury of two practices over the last couple days (a morning skate and a formal practice yesterday), the hope would be that these two would start to feel more comfortable with the rest of the team and that they would feel more comfortable with the system that Rod Brind’Amour employs. 

Below are my thoughts on the game:

• The game started with the Blake-Aho-Rantanen line – and to me, this should be expected.  Additionally, it should be expected that on the road, this line will see the other teams top shut down line.  All that to say – it appeared that this line was in the offensive zone more than they were the defensive zone tonight and generating solid chances.  If we can get this in all games, I can’t wait to see what our games at home look like, where we can alter matchups at times.
• The Svechnikov-Kotkaniemi-Hall line is the real deal – they look great together.  Excellent chemistry all game.  Some notes on this line: 
• They were strong the entire game.  Hall looks absolutely rejuvenated, zipping down the ice, providing excellent feeds, including a feed to Andrii for the first goal of the game.  The secondary assist went to Kotkaniemi, who had a great screen in front of Igor Shesterkin, who couldn’t see the puck until it was in the back of the net.
• The size of this line can’t be ignored – three dudes that have size, good speed and can each distribute and create.  Furthermore, this line can all make life difficult for the goalie, parking in front of the net.  This line is going to be a real matchup problem for teams.
• This line is the bump up line after the penalty kill – all three penalties were killed and each of them were bumped up by this line.  None of those guys are penalty killers, so it makes sense.  But to have this sort of offensive flair after a penalty kill that can change some game momentum – again, I think this line could be a problem for teams.
• I have asked for it and got it – we are playing 11 and 7 tonight due to a Jack Roslovic illness prior to game time.  I understand how challenging it can be to roll two sides of the odd numbers, but in these circumstances, you can allow for some defenders to get a little bit of a blow mid-season.   I don’t hate it.  Sadly, the dude that could probably use a blow and some added relief from his legs the most – Brent Burns – led all defensemen with 20+ minutes of ice time.  Oy vey!
• Let’s give Frederik Andersen some love:
•  Freddie made several excellent saves in the 1^st period, including two gems against Alexis Lafreniere, to keep the game at 1-0.
• I noted this while watching, but he looked sharper tonight.  One thing on his mind may have been Game 6 from last seasons’ playoffs.  He stopped Kreider a couple times tonight, which I am sure felt good.
• In the 2^nd period, he had other brilliant saves – without them, the game could have gotten away from us a little. 
• His counterpart, Igor Shesterkin, also played magnificently through two periods – Andersen was just better.  Just a next level game for him.  He probably stole at least 3 goals tonight.
• Juha Jaaska has been more than a slightly better than a replacement level player on the 4^th line – he’s played quality minutes, had a real good neutral zone steal, and had some good passes, including a great past to Robinson not once but twice (an outlet pass and a feed from behind the net) that set him up at point blank range – sadly Igor was up to the task.
• The Canes did much better in the face-off circle tonight – we looked like we were winning more than we were losing and, sure enough, we went 56% tonight.
• I thought our team defense looked real solid tonight.  With two new players on the ice learning the system, it could take a few games to feel out the way our team does it defensively.  Credit again to Eric Tulsky for identifying two guys that can provide offense, have solid frames, but can also do it on the defensive end.  Both clearly have good IQ, because neither looked out of place defensively.  In fact, Rantanen had a great stick play in the 3^rd to prevent a Panarin chance – helping to preserve the shutout. 
• The first and second period, in my estimation, was a wash.  Both teams had their chances, the game was up and down in stretches, and both goalies were rock solid.  The difference really was Freddie Andersen.
• In the middle of the 2^nd, Seth Jarvis had a 2-on-1 with Shayne Gostisbehere and, instead of shooting the puck, he passed it off to Shayne.  It appeared that Igor was leaning towards the pass anyway, which is why I think Seth should just let it rip.  Easy for me to say from my couch, but I think if/when Jarvy watches the replay, he’ll see he had a little daylight on the top shelf blocker side for a chance.
• A little on Andrii Svechnikov:
• Andrii looks like he’s taken a step forward – and credit to Rod for putting him on a line with Kotkaniemi and Hall.  Hall has fit with Svechnikov like a glove.  These two seem to feed off each other.
• He had two goals and one assist tonight – and played a complete game.
• Defensively, he literally saved a goal with his stick in the 2^nd to keep it 1-0.
• I said it in the Dallas recap – if Svechnikov can figure it all out (offensive zone role, defensive zone role, playing a complete 200-foot game), look out.  It has been fun to see him unlock a little of his offensive potential these last couple games.
• Some Mikko Rantanen love – he delivered offensively on a complete undressing of Igor Shesterkin – Igor had committed to a Rantanen shot when Mikko calmly passed the puck to a charging Andrii Svechnikov to make it 2-0.  Such a smooth play.  He’s as much of a threat to shoot as he is to pass.  It must be menacing to goalies.  He also made that great defensive play mentioned above.  Overall, he’s been what I’ve expected to see two games in.  Final note on Rants – he drives with the puck and has such a big frame; it should be able to open the ice a little – Tripp Tracy made this point during the broadcast, and I think it holds true. 
• Both power play units had decent looks – ultimately neither scored, but you love to see solid opportunities on the man advantage.  The dam is going to break sooner or later.
• The third period goal by Sebastain Aho was an absolute snipe – such a great pass from Svechnikov, who was on the ice with Taylor Hall in the middle of a line change.  Aho was finishing his shift and buried the puck short side. 
• Not to be outdone, with 17:30 to go in the 3^rd period, Seth Jarvis sent one top shelf glove side after being left all alone in the slot on a breakdown by the Rangers D.  The Jordan’s did a lot of the lift for this one – Staal with the initial leave down low for Martinook, who lost and then recovered the puck to feed Seth for the goal.  A phenomenal start to the period that essentially put the game away.

The Rangers had a couple additional chances in the 3^rd, but again, the team defense really stepped up and got the job done in front of Freddie.  Frankly, though, Andersen earned the 4-0 shutout.  He worked admirably in net, saving several shots that fell into the Grade-A category.  I suppose a good defense can make a goalie look good and a good goalie can make a defense look good.  Tonight, I thought our team defense was solid, but Freddie worked hard as well – just a total team effort. 

Up Next:  We’re back home for the Taylor Hall/Teuvo Teravainen/Petr Mrazek revenge game against Chicago.