Hurricanes versus Golden Knights - The Recap

Going into Friday night, there was a sense that anything was possible.  The Hurricanes were back at it to play against one of the top contenders in the West – the Vegas Golden Knights – just two nights removed from what some might describe as an uninspiring first forty minutes of effort against the Buffalo Sabres.  While the boys fought back to make it look respectable in the third, the reality was the effort just wasn’t good enough.

Rod decided to change some things – putting the forward groups in a blender and mixing and matching to see if better results were to be had.  And overall, the results were positive.  The Hurricanes won 3-2, with great efforts from Pyotr Kochetkov, Seth Jarvis (who was partnered with the Jordan’s all night 5 on 5), and a solid showing from the Sebastian Aho line (featuring Svechnikov and my guy Jackson Blake).

Below are some thoughts during the game:

• Usually, it will take a little time for line chemistry to click at game speed, and this game was no exception.  The fact that Jordan Martinook, Jordan Staal and Seth Jarvis played together so seamlessly from the jump, though, wasn’t much of a surprise since they have played some together last season - with strong results as well.  I’d let that line cook for a while (at least until Will Carrier is back and then re-evaluate what might make sense).
• This game seemed to almost be a pendulum, where Vegas really kind of took the initiative on the offensive end for large stretches of the first.  By the third, however, Carolina had taken the momentum and played a lot in our offensive end.
• To piggyback on that last point, we didn’t win this game without some stellar saves from Pyotr Kochetkov (throughout the game, but notable ones in the first).  There are a couple observations I have about Pyotr that I am starting to believe as true –
• First, it seems when there is a high-end Russian goalie on the other end of the ice, PK ups his game.   We discussed this with Al Hood a couple Incidents ago and I believe there is some truth to this.
• Second, I really believe that the best Pyotr is one that has a true equal behind him on the bench that is a true challenge to the job on a night in, night out basis.  I see his compete level rise when someone like Freddie is backing him up.  Healthy competition is good – but to take that next step, he needs to be the man, with or without anyone (Freddie) or anything (a Russian goalie) as that motivator.
• To Fans:  Please stop booing every penalty that is called against us.  We were called for 4 penalties and all 4 of the penalties were valid.  Just be better – save the boos for the egregious misses or egregious calls.
• I could see early on that Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis were engaged – they were out there together for every penalty kill and were either strong in their own end with their stick play (which won’t show up on the stat sheet) or creating chances offensively while killing the penalty off.  Twice they had 2-on-1 breakaways on the kill – both misses.  The second time, though, Seth Jarvis retrieved the puck and sent it back past our blue line to our D in a small game of keep away from the Golden Knights to milk more time off the clock.  I like that and would like to see more of it.  Typically, when we miss on those opportunities, we kind of get back into our defensive posture instead of valuing puck possession to milk some time.  Again – smart hockey play, but not something you’re going to see on the stat sheet at the end of the night.
• I appreciated Mike and Tripp paying homage to the late Bob Uecker, who passed away on Friday at the age of 90.  As always, great work by those two.
• Our first goal of the game included about 4 or 5 excellent back-to-back shifts in the offensive zone by the Aho, Staal and Drury (at the time) lines.  The goal itself was a hard work goal that included Jordan Martinook digging out a puck below the goal line to feed Seth Jarvis, who was parked right in front of the net, for a skate to stick to net goal.  Just excellent work from that line.
• Some of the other noticeable players –
• Jackson Blake - Jackson consistently was noticeable on the ice, including scoring a goal on a redirect from Noah Hanifin (former Cane and current Vegas Golden Knight defenseman).  Some may call that a lucky bounce, but frankly in that instance you make your own luck there.  Jalen Chatfield (another night in, night out noticeable player) joined the rush and if Hanifin didn’t poke it in, it was going to be a great pass right to the tape of Chatty for a grade-A and probable goal.  Great vision and awesome pass play that ends up counting for his 10^th goal instead of an assist.  He was also involved in a rush with Aho that just missed on an attempt off a rebound.  If he continues to stay on this line, I could see a lot more production for him, both as a distributor and as a goal scorer.  Don’t look now, but Jackson Blake is on a 20-goal pace.
• Jack Drury – Jack continues to be a menace in the face-off circle, winning 12 of 14 from the dot.  He was rewarded in the 3^rd by moving up to play with Necas and Robinson on the “2^nd line”.  I know Rod doesn’t like to number these lines, but this is the de facto 2^nd line.  This grouping has played together earlier in the season, and I’d like to see them continue playing together more.  Jack, though, has consistently shown himself to do things the right way – more often than not, he’s in the right spot and making the right play. 
• Jordan Martinook – Marty had a man’s effort in this game, being the catalyst for two of the three goals we scored.  Every shift this guy puts everything into his game, and I appreciate it.  I have heard some people compare Eric Robinson (another guy I like) to Jordan Martinook in how they both play – I view that as high praise for Eric.  Great game by Marty!
• My final note is on another noticeable player – Brent Burns.  I have loved Brent Burns for years, and I love a lot of the things he has done over the years for this organization.  Sadly, when he is on the ice, it does appear he is maybe a half a step slower.  While he has the IQ to make up for it, come playoff time, the speed of the game could end up being a problem.  So, what do we do?  I have considered a couple things:
• We could limit his minutes in games.  The other night, he was out there for 21 minutes.  That seems like too many.  That said, being paired with arguably one of the top five pure defensive defensemen in the league Jaccob Slavin, he must be out there.  Limiting his minutes would mean to move him down the D pairings, which really alters chemistry.
• A second, possibly more palatable solution, might be to play some games with 11 and 7 and bring up Scott Morrow.  Some things to consider – our current call up (Juha Jaaska) has done fine but is only receiving 8-10 minutes a game.  Until Will Carrier is back, it might be worth rolling with 11 and 7 to give Brent (and some of the other D-men) an extra blow during these games.  I, personally, don’t think we do either – Rod will continue to allow Brent the space to play things out.  My hope is that the All-Star break will give Burns (and all the boys not playing in the Four Nations event) a good chance to catch their breath for a stretch run.

Ultimately, this game was won through the hard work of a 200-foot game and a great performance by Pyotr Kochetkov.  Up next, the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night.