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Carolina Hurricanes: Some Things Learned Tonight

By Matthew Barlowe

Mar 9, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Valentin Zykov (39) takes a third period shot against New York Rangers goalie Antti Raanta (32) at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes defeated the Rangers 4-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Valentin Zykov (39) takes a third period shot against New York Rangers goalie Antti Raanta (32) at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes defeated the Rangers 4-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carolina Hurricanes took down the New York Rangers tonight on the back Sebastian Aho’s two goals

So it appears that the Carolina Hurricanes can actually play some hockey against teams that are missing some of their best players.  The New York Rangers, like the Ottawa Senators a couple weeks ago, came into Raleigh missing some of their best players.  Rick Nash and Henrik Lundqvist sat out the game with injuries.  They joined Michael Grabner and Jesper Fast on the injured list.

With the way the Hurricanes have played recently, they’ll take what they can get. Compared to the snoozer against the Colorado Avalanche, tonight’s game was a barn burner.  Both teams going back and forth with plenty of goals on each side makes for some entertaining hockey.  Even more entertaining when the Hurricanes come out on top.

Related Story: Hudson Elyinuk Rundown

Thoughts on the Game

Is this Valentin Zykov guy for real?  Zykov led the team in 5v5 Corsi on a night when the rest of the team was in the negatives and scored his very first

goal

in the NHL as well.  It’s only one game let’s not get too excited.  It’s way too early to start

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saying…oh who am I kidding this kid is going to be the best ever and I’ve already bought my Zykov jersey.

Seriously though if Zykov pans out think of what that means for the rest of the Carolina Hurricanes prospects.  The Russian was much lower on the depth chart than say, Julien Gauthier or Nicolas Roy.  If a guy that low is pretty good does that mean Bean, Roy, and Gauthier will be all-stars?

  • Skinner shows again tonight why he is one of the best wingers in the game.  He slices through the center of the ice and puts one past Raanta and nearly gets a second one if not for a highlight reel save by the Ranger goaltender.  Francis needs to get a competitive team around this guy before the Hurricanes end up wasting his prime like they did Eric Staal.
  • The PK definitely wasn’t as sharp tonight as it normally has been this season.  The Rangers score three goals on the power play after going 0 for 27 in the games before.  Are the Canes missing Ron Hainsey and Viktor Stalberg on the PK?  Sure, but taking six penalties with one a 5v3 doesn’t do the team any favors either.

    • Next: Defense Wins Championships, Offense Wins Games

    • Despite the win, this is a game where the Hurricanes were definitely outplayed.  Rangers led shots and Corsi, and only four Canes were a positive Corsi.  Luckily the Rangers decided to be undisciplined in the third and Carolina converted their two power play chances.
    • If not for Sebastian Aho the Canes would have lost the game.  I have a feeling I will be learning how to say/type that in a million different ways before his career is over with the Hurricanes.  Now if he could just score ten more goals that would be great.  I predicted him to score 30 this year, and I would love the chance to rub it in.
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