Carolina Hurricanes: Canes set franchise record, beat Leafs 5-2

The Carolina Hurricanes won their second consecutive game last night, beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 and setting a new franchise record for shots in a period in the process. Let’s take a look back at the action.

This feels good, right? The last time the Carolina Hurricanes won two games in succession was the 22nd and 26th of October, when they topped the Red Wings 3-1 and snuck past the Sharks with a 4-3 shootout win. This time, the Canes beat the Devils with thirty seconds of offense, and took down a Maple Leafs team that was on a four-game win streak and was riding high in the standings.

The first period was a face-melter of a period, with the Canes putting up 29 shots to set a new franchise record (since relocation) for shots in a period. For the second game in succession the team scored two quick goals; Trevor van Riemsdyk scoring his first of the season after 10:56, and Justin Williams putting up his second in as many games 22 seconds later. That goal also marked the 100th in a Canes uniform for the captain. The unstoppable John Tavares got the Leafs within one, but the Canes held on for a first period 2-1 lead.

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The second period was scoreless, with barely a shot put on net by the Canes, but they came out strongly again in the third and took a 3-1 lead on Micheal Ferland‘s team-leading 11th of the season:

Empty net goals for Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov helped pad the scoreline, but that didn’t flatter the Canes last night. It was their just rewards. Svechnikov in particular had one of his strongest games yet for the Canes, leading Rod Brind’Amour to say after the game:

"“He’s coming on. You can see that. You can see the confidence starting to come out of him. Hanging on to pucks in the O-zone, taking it to the net really hard. Still got to work on the D-zone stuff, but he’s trying. I love it. He wants to learn.”"

Special teams alert: a massive success! The PP went 1/1 thanks to Ferland’s goal, and the PK was stoic in shutting down both Leafs PPs. A lot of respect needs to go to Warren Foegele (2:12), Jordan Martinook (1:54) and Brock McGinn (1:48) for their work on the PK, closing down the likes of Tavares, Mitchell Marner and Nazem Kadri. And while the team went a disappointing 42% in the faceoff circle, the returning Victor Rask had himself a solid night, going 57%, and getting two shots away during nearly 11 minutes of ice time. It was a solid return.

Agreed. If it drives other teams’ fans nuts, we have to keep winning games and celebrating.

There were many positives last night – first and foremost being the ferocious first period and franchise record, and scoring five goals for the first time since a win over Minnesota on 13 October. Those special teams. Curtis McElhinney making 30/32 saves to make a big claim for the starters gig as the game’s first star. Micheal Ferland laying the smacketh down with 9 hits and that PP goal (he’s up to 73 hits for the season, 5th in the league at even strength). But the biggest positive? 2 points, and a win streak. Last six games for the Carolina Hurricanes? 4-1-1. We’re back on track.

Let’s keep ’em coming boys!

Question for CC readers:

Next up is the Florida Panthers, as the last opponent on our six-game home stand. Do you think the Canes will extend the win streak to three?