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Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Game 3 vs Capitals

By Tony Trotmann

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34), right, glances at the Washington Capitals mobbing their terammate Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) after he scored the winning OT goal during a game between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes in game 2 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference quarterfinals in Washington, DC on April 13, 2019 . (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34), right, glances at the Washington Capitals mobbing their terammate Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) after he scored the winning OT goal during a game between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes in game 2 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference quarterfinals in Washington, DC on April 13, 2019 . (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) skates off the ice after scoring a game tying goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals on April 13, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) skates off the ice after scoring a game tying goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals on April 13, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

From the three keys to Game 2 to now, the three keys to Game 3, the Carolina Hurricanes have definitely improved on their penalty-kill with limiting the shooting opportunities and not allowing the Capitals to have enough time to make the smartest of plays. The Hurricanes killed four out of four penalties, including a major penalty because of the Ferland match penalty.

The penalty-kill was perfect in Game 2 and all that needs to be said about it is that just keep it up but do better, if possible. Allowing less time than before, allowing less shots than before, not even allowing offensive zone entry, etc. The power-play was nowhere near perfect but it definitely showed up, with the Capitals taking five penalties and the Hurricanes striking on one of them.

The Carolina Hurricanes need to use their speed on the power-play, especially on a 5-on-3, like they had in Game 2. Not enough shots, puck movement isn’t fast enough and when it is, it doesn’t connect and creates turnovers. The Hurricanes just need to move the puck quickly around as they can, get the Capitals defense to move, and shoot with guys in front screening Braden Holtby.

Similar to the favored calls to the Capitals at Capital One Arena, perhaps the favored calls go to the home team so they can appease the crowd. If that’s the case, the Hurricanes need to bite the Capitals on the power-play every time they can.

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