Carolina Hurricanes: Canes win again in Cam Ward’s return

The Carolina Hurricanes topped the Chicago Blackhawks for the second time in four days last night, with an overtime winner from Sebastien Aho securing the 3-2 comeback win from a 2-0 deficit. Let’s take a look back at the action, and look at other news from around the NHL.

After picking up a first win in five games against the Blackhawks last week, the Carolina Hurricanes lost a shootout to the Red Wings despite heavily out-shooting them 52-32. Last night saw the Canes pull a rabbit out a hat, with two powerplay goals from Teuvo Teravainen and Micheal Ferland setting up the grandstand finish for Sebastian Aho‘s first goal in 13 games. After five straight losses, the Canes have quietly put up 5 points from 6, and have climbed back to a more respectable 8-7-3 record. That’s good for 4th spot in the Metropolitan Division, and shows that this team can bounce back from adversity.

Cam Ward was back in town for his first game in Raleigh with his new team. I believe the team excelled themselves with the tribute video, as the nostalgia was high. He nearly came away with the win after some fine stops, but the young stars on this team are finding ways to win. Thank you for 13 incredible years Cam – come back any time, because no matter who you play for, fans in Raleigh will always support you.

In good news, Andrei Svechnikov put up two assists and is quietly putting up numbers that may see him at least enter Calder discussion, even if those numbers aren’t a patch on those of Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson. Svech continues to have a steady diet of low/medium TOI, and he’s doing well enough with his average of 13:35 that there can be few concerns about how he is adapting to life in the NHL. He’s only going to go from strength to strength.

Sebastian Aho’s OT goal was the perfect end to the perfect comeback, and showed just how far he has come during his time in the league. After finishing only 8th in Calder voting two years ago, he shook off the dreaded sophomore slump to increase his totals by 5 goals and 11 assists last year. This season, he looks primed to top last season’s 69 points, and to be the scoring leader this team so desperately needs. A great finish from a mighty fine player.

https://twitter.com/NHLCanes/status/1062175661408817152

Another good night for special teams: 2-for-2 on the PP, with the PK unused. As is so often the case in the NHL, special teams held the key to victory – if Rod Brind’Amour can continue to focus his team on their efforts while shorthanded and on the man advantage, we will see many more wins in Raleigh this season.

Two pieces of Hurricanes early doors today, the first being the announcement that the team won’t be participating in the Traverse City tournament next year:

The team also announced today that Valentin Zykov has been re-assigned to the Checkers for a conditioning stint. He’s not played in a week, so this will help keep him sharp while also allowing him a good opportunity to add to his AHL resume, where he lead the entire league in goals last season.

Finally, which team has the best defense in the NHL? Obviously, the answer is the Hurricanes, as Emily Kaplan of ESPN explains:

"I keep finding reasons not to pick the Carolina Hurricanes, the advanced stat darlings. Carolina has the lowest shot attempts against per 60 minutes in five-on-five play in the league. Among pairings that have played at least 200 minutes together, the Canes boast the top two duos in terms of expected goals plus-minus. Carolina is also allowing a league-low 25.5 shots per game. If it weren’t for shoddy goaltending, you wonder where this team might be."

Elsewhere in the NHL:

Last night saw the 2018 Hall of Fame class inducted. Martin Brodeur and Martin St Louis were two excellent inductees, both fully deserving of the honor. Willie O’Ree was long overdue, and was most deserving of all inductees. I’m still torn on Gary Bettman, but at least it means we never have to discuss it again. It was also pleasing to see Yakushev and Hefford inducted. Both are fine choices. This post on the 2019 options shows that Rod Brind’Amour could well get the call next year – I’d select Hayley Wickenheiser, Alex Mogilny, Rod, and potentially Patrik Elias.

Seems like one Hall of Fame place is already certain: that of the afore-mentioned Elias Pettersson. Wayne Gretzky has compared Pettersson to himself, which hasn’t gone down well in Edmonton but has been lapped up in Vancouver. Personally, I’ve found the Pettersson hype to be overblown – kids have to play a good couple of seasons before we can be certain how they’ll pan out (with some exceptions, such as McDavid).

Henrik Lundqvist is now level with Jacques Plante in 7th for all-time regular season wins. It’s criminal how the Rangers wasted his prime years.

Question for CC readers:

What are your expectations for Andrei Svechnikov this season, as we approach the quarter mark? Is 40 points a reasonable rookie season, considering his limited TOI?