Carolina Hurricanes: 5 takeaways from win over Panthers

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RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 07: Carolina Hurricanes Defenceman Roland McKeown (55) passes the puck during a game between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 7 2017. Carolina defeated Florida 3-1. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Roland McKeown stepping up in place of Brett Pesce

Another group of players that Peters was tooling around with was the defensemen. The defensive line combinations changed around all since the concussions protocol process began for Brett Pesce prior to the Colorado game.

In place of Pesce, rookie defender Roland McKeown stepped in and performed well. McKeown notched the first two points of his career on Nov. 7. with two assists. Those two assists were huge coming from the third defensive pairing.

McKeown is playing alongside Noah Hanifin right now. Both McKeown and Hanifin are extremely productive right now with Hanifin leading all Canes defenders in points. McKeown could be on the same pace if he would be in the lineup for the rest of the season.

If the Canes get players like this to step up in place of injured regulars, it could be a huge key to making a real push for the playoffs. Depth is always a concern for injury prone rosters and the Canes have a ton of potent talent waiting to get an opportunity like McKeown did.

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