With the trade deadline behind us, it was time to get back to work. It’s easy to talk about the team on paper, but it was time to get to it – let’s see the product that we have. The big name out is Mikko Rantanen – I am finishing up an article outlining the autopsy on that transaction – and the big add in from that deal is Logan Stankoven. The other name to consider is Mark Jankowski, who we acquired for a 5th round pick right at the deadline. When we went to the podcast, it still hadn’t been reported that we picked him up, but alas, he is now a Carolina Hurricane.
Tonight, we had Winnipeg in town – the hope was that the two
newcomers could get acclimated to the way we do things in Raleigh and that the
team would continue to play the way they have on their recent 3-game winning
streak. That would include whole unit
defense, solid chance generation, and who knows? Maybe a power play goal.
I texted my guy Brian James (who has appeared on our podcast
before) when the Rantanen trade took place – I told him my prediction – a 5-1
win for the Hurricanes.
Below are my thoughts on the game:
- I want to start with the line combinations, as this was a bit of a question mark coming in:
- Svechnikov-Aho-Stankoven
- Hall-Kotkaniemi-Blake
- Jarvis-Staal-Martinook
- Roslovic-Jankowski-Robinson
- The defense had to realign because of Dimitri Orlov’s absence due to an injury. Scott Morrow drew the defensive duties in his place. Additionally, Frederik Andersen was in net.
- We started the game with the Kotkaniemi line – it is nice to see that Jesperi is getting those minutes with the wingers he has. He and his linemates (whoever they have been) have done a great job over the last several games, doing some of the non-stat sheet type work. Great to see him earn those minutes.
- I had my eyes on Logan Stankoven early – I wanted to get a glimpse of the player we might be getting. While he still has to learn the ins and outs of the system, I thought he had good jump, played soundly defensively and worked as well as he could with his linemates, even though he literally just met them. He’s quick and has good feet. I can already tell I’m going to like him.
- The Jarvis-Staal-Martinook line looked like they came to play as well, with Jarvis having a great opportunity thwarted by Connor Hellebuyck, who we get to face tonight. Additionally, they had solid zone time and generated a couple decent looks as well. Even without “he who shall remain nameless”, we have three solid top lines that we can roll.
- We were able to go to the power play first – my hope is that we don’t allow a ton of opportunities for Winnipeg to get on the man advantage because their power play is deadly. Our power play – it might just bore you to death. Our first look at the power play was miserable. We didn’t get anything generated – it just looks so disjointed currently constructed.
- Jesperi Kotkaniemi drew a double minor after a second rough up on a shift – the first, he was charging hard at a puck and cleared it out, only to be rolled up hard into the boards. The second, where a penalty was called, was on a high stick that also could have been interference – he drew a double minor and we try to get to work on this one.
- The 2nd power play looked better – there was nice puck movement and solid chances. It’s baby steps here. We have to grow with each chance, looking better than we did the previous time we were out there. The double minor gets abbreviated because of an Andrii Svechnikov hook in his offensive zone. We go 4-on-4 for a bit and control puck possession, but nothing materializes. Their power play is short lived, and we kill it – still 0-0.
- In watching the game, it dawned on me that Mikko Rantanen was kind of down and depressed for being here in Raleigh. From now until I know full well that he is 100% happy with everything and his life decisions, I will know him as Emo Rantanen. Knowing his buddy Roope Hintz got injured in the game yesterday evening, he probably isn’t 100% happy – therefore, Emo it is!
- And just like that, Mark Jankowski makes me forget Emo – a great shot over Hellebuyck, after he had done some work in the neutral zone to cause a turnover. Scott Morrow is the recipient of the turned over puck, who has his head up and sends it down the ice for Jankowski, blue line to blue line, and eventually he buried it upstairs. 1-0 good guys.
- Scott Morrow has been noticeable in a good way. He was part of the play for the first goal, and he got more comfortable as the game went on. Early on, I noticed he got bodied a little bit on the ice early, but he has done a good job of settling in and playing within the system. Really good to see. He’s been with Chatfield for a good bit of the night. His time on ice seemed limited at times, and he shifted around with a couple different guys. Overall, a solid showing against a top unit in Winnipeg.
- Mark Jankowski hat trick watch – he’s a fit. Jack Roslovic and Eric Robinson have been working with him tonight. After Jankowski fed it behind the net to Robinson, Eric shuffled the puck over to Jack Roslovic, who then put the puck to the center of the ice where Mark was driving in front of the crease. It came off the post and then Jankowski fought through and pokes it in. He gets what we are trying to do right away. Mark Jankowski > Emo Rantanen. 2-0 good guys.
- This 4th line has been really good – Winnipeg can’t seem to match up with the size (Roslovic and Jankowski) and speed (Robinson as well as the other two). This line is responsible for the two goals.
- Freddie Andersen played well – he was very steady for a large stretch of this game. He’s had some key saves through the course of the game that have really kept this thing a shutout.
- We went to the power play for the first time in the 2nd period – this power play had some life. Stankoven in the bumper has been solid – he almost connected a couple times. Solid puck movement and good puck possession - I liked that power play way better than any other power play I have seen of late.
- Winnipeg goes to the man advantage. They have a good power play, but we have been up to the task, taking care of our own end and looking steady doing it – good work killing it off.
- Taylor Hall made a great save at the goal line with Andersen doing work on a save out of the crease. Hall came in, sealed the short side, put his stick in a passing lane and saved things late in the period. Never going to show up on a stat sheet, but Taylor Hall has been great! Taylor Hall > Emo Rantanen.
- The Hall-Kotkaniemi-Blake line has started the 3rd period on time – a couple strong looks early on, dictating pace. Fantastic to see.
- Seth Jarvis did work to split the defense and drew a hooking penalty in the early stages of the 3rd period. Good move to the middle with pace. Let’s build off the last power play.
- And Stankoven puts one in the back of the net – we were on the power play, he was out front, Gostisbehere shot the puck from the blue line and Stankoven had the vision to see the puck and make the tip in past Hellebuyck with his stick shaft. 3-0 good guys.
- Staal called on an interference penalty – we go to the kill – and wouldn’t you know it – Jankowski is in on the kill. He was on the ice for about a minute and thirty seconds. He probably will need to get into better conditioning in a Rod Brind’Amour style system, because he did seem a little gassed out there at times, but overall, he’s going to be a solid acquisition for us. Also, great kill.
- We’ve had some great shifts since the kill – sustained pressure and some solid chances that they have either blocked or have had an all-world Connor Hellebuyck save. The consistent pressure and attacking nature of our offense has been what has been missing these last several games – the boys have gotten back to their identity and have played an exceptional game – all 200 feet of it.
- Freddie Andersen has been exceptional – you will sometimes hear that the players in front of you will play better with one netminder or another. And I believe that to be true. But these last 4-5 games, we have played a solid 2-way game in front of our goaltending, and I think that Freddie and Pyotr are feeling confident with the boys out in front of them. Just great to see.
- Another power play opportunity – Brent Burns drew the penalty. Speaking of Brent Burns – dude keeps stacking games, this was another good outing for him. He had a couple solid plays in his own end and looked as good as he has all season these last several games. I’m happy for him.
- One finally gets through Freddy – they had pulled the goalie. It’s a sharp angle shot by Alex Iafallo – Kyle Connor was in front of the net and Freddie had to consider him as well. Still 3-1 good guys.
This one wrapped up with a flurry of activity. First, the Jets immediately go to an empty
net again and, after his linemates winning a puck battle along the boards, Seth
Jarvis gets the puck and makes a nifty move around a Jet, eventually burying an
empty net goal to make it 4-1. For all
that good, with under a minute left, Freddie Andersen had a mental lapse as he
was trying to clear a puck from the trapezoid – he passed it right to Adam
Lowry, though, and in the back of the net it went. It wouldn’t matter, though, as 4-2 would be
our final.
I couldn’t be happier for the two new guys in that were
added at the deadline. Both played with
energy and ended up being the difference makers we needed on the ice. It’s nice that they can settle in without
having to think about how they are contributing – they have already got that
monkey off their back. And frankly, I
think it only gets better from here.
Next up: A home date
with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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