Carolina Hurricanes Preview: The Home Opener Versus The Rangers

Carolina Hurricanes take on the New York Rangers for the first game at the PNC Arena this season

Tonight the Carolina Hurricanes (1-3-2) face the division leading New York Rangers (5-2-0) for the home opener at the PNC Arena.  Coming back home couldn’t come at a better time for a team who just experienced a disastrous road trip.  The Canes earned only 4 of a possible 18 points from their first 6 games.  Is that bad? *Looks at standings* Yeah that’s bad.

The Rangers are on a 3 game win streak coming into this game having beaten the Boston Bruins handily the night before last 5-2.  Brandon Pirri and Jimmy Vessey, the Rangers two major offseason acquisitions, both lead the team with four goals apiece. Behind the Metropolitan Division leader’s record is the NHL’s best offense.  According to Corsica, despite only having a 5v5 CF% of 50.25 the Rangers are number one in both xGF and xGF60.  And if you’re not into fancy stats?  Well, the Rangers are also number one in actual goals scored as well.

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New York needed every goal too because they are only 18th in goals against.  One reason is Henrik Lundqvist has played at a mere mortal level to start the season.  In five starts, Henrik accumulated. .908 SV% a number off a bit from his career average of .920.  Is this the year where cracks finally appear in the Lundqvist wall?  Judging by Lundqvist’s last two games the answer is no.  He has rebounded nicely from a slow start and posted back to back games of .931.  An on point Lundqvist is even more bad news for a Carolina Hurricanes team that desperately needs a win.

Matty B’s Game Keys

Jeff Skinner:

If Skinner is unable to suit up for this game, the Canes are going to have a rough game. He’s their best player on the ice this year and the entire offense flows through him.  Victor Rask was able to score against Detroit, but his line with Lee Stempniak and Victor Stalberg didn’t look nearly as dangerous.  With as well as the Rangers are playing no Skinner almost guarantees a loss.

Team Defense

This season, like last, the Hurricanes have excelled at keeping their goalies from seeing too many shots.  They are fourth in the league for 5v5 CA60 with 48.89.  Yet pucks keep finding their way into the net.  This isn’t just on the defense either.  Two of Detroit’s goals last game came from a player rotating and then not playing proper defense.  If the Canes are going to play the fast-paced, fluid style, of hockey that Bill Peters wants then every player needs to learn their assignments at all positions.

Related Story: Victor Rask looking more and more up to the task

Controlling the Crease

Quite a few goals scored against the Canes came from opponents being allowed to setup in front of the net.  Carolina needs to get better at moving these guys out of the way.  Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Philadelphia all scored multiple goals because of this very issue.  Not sure what the answer is here for this, but it needs to be addressed to give the shaky goaltending any chance at playing well.

The Hurricanes need to take charge of the crease on the other side of the puck as well.  Henrik Lundqvist is the best goalie of this generation and shows no sign of slowing down despite turning 34.  If he’s in peak form, the Hurricanes will need to get in front of him and give him no chance of seeing the puck.