Carolina Hurricanes: Finish Home-stand with a Win over Montreal

3. Andrei Svechnikov gets 20

Andrei Svechnikov has been everywhere these last few games. Last night he factored in again, this time in overtime to clinch the game for the Carolina Hurricanes and send the Montreal Canadiens wondering just how far Carey Price can carry them. There is a lot to unpack from the final play of the game and the 40th shot on Price that ended up being the final one taken in the game.

The first thing to consider is Svechnikov’s growth and offensive awareness. Jordan Staal was simply trying to push the puck back up the ice to stop the Canadiens from entering the Carolina zone. Svechnikov’s awareness allowed him to see that puck and take full control of it while Justin Faulk moved up the other side to create a critical two on one forcing the Canadien defender to make a futile choice: does he attempt to stop Andrei’s shot or does he try to break a pass to Faulk.

Either choice was futile as Mike Reilly decided to go for the latter and Svechnikov took a shot at what might be the best goalie in the history of the sport. The puck found the five hole on Price taking a bounce off his stick and into the net. It all happened so fast that Price never had a real chance. He looked ready to load back to stop a shot from Faulk. Both men underestimated the young Russian rookie, thinking he would opt to pass and they both paid dearly for it:

PNC Arena erupted. This was yet another defining moment for the Carolina Hurricanes and their Cinderella comeback season. This team is definitely one that looks poised to make a deep run into the playoffs. They have demanded national and international attention, and not only by their incredible post-game Storm Surge celebrations, but by their excellent heart and desire to play and win games. For the second time this week, the Carolina Hurricanes have stolen a game in overtime. The final score doesn’t lie, this team refuses to give up a playoff spot.

That game ended an incredibly successful home-stand that has seen every shade of emotion from both the players and the fans. Eight out of Ten points against teams that are either sitting in playoff spots are actively attempting to get a playoff spot this late in the season is not an easy task. But the Carolina Hurricanes have made it feel like it is. This season will go down in history for this team and it’s fanbase.

Question for CC Readers: Can the Carolina Hurricanes keep up this pace throughout the end of the regular season and finally end the drought?