2. Contributions from the blue line on offense
One of Carolina’s four goals against the Wild came from defenseman Noah Hanifin. The depth that the Canes have on defense is one of the best parts of this team as well. If players like Hanifin, Jaccob Slavin, Haydn Fleury, etc. can continue to provide a spark on offense, this team will be successful.
Slavin sealed the shootout win for the Canes against the Wild on a very nice backhand deke around Stalock. It was the only goal scored by either team in the shootout as Darling came up huge, shutting down Minnesota on three chances.
While Hanifin notched the only point of any Carolina defenseman in the season opener, Fleury and Slavin helped apply pressure the entire game. Slavin also made a nice move to setup that goal that Hanifin scored.
Brett Pesce was also a +2 in that contest. We’ll see what happens with newly acquired defender Trevor van Riemsdyk as he left the Wild game with an undisclosed injury. According to reports, van Riemsdyk was not back at practice on Oct. 9.
Trevor van Riemsdyk not at #Canes practice. Lee Stempniak not back at practice yet, either.
— Michael Smith (@MichaelSmithNC) October 9, 2017