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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 left wing Micheal Ferland (79) works the puck along the boards against Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) 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 left wing Micheal Ferland (79) works the puck along the boards against Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) 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) /

Despite the lack of coverage compared to the Washington Capitals, the takes on the Hurricanes are mostly correct, the Hurricanes need to work on the boards, pinch down and play physical on the Capitals. If they can win battles on the boards like they did various times in Game 2, they will be successful in Game 3.

Lots of puck battles going the Hurricanes way allowed for Wallmark to cut the lead in half in Game two. Despite the Ferland hit on Nic Dowd, the Hurricanes should not be cautious and avoid hitting because of that match penalty, they should not let it discourage them.

The fear is that Ferland takes the pedal off the metal and we hope he doesn’t, hitting is vital to forcing turnovers.The Carolina Hurricanes need to keep this home crowd alive and delivering hard hits will ramp the crowd up, winning puck battles and keeping possession in the offensive zone will keep the fans on their feet.

They need to limit the breathing time for the Capitals, don’t let them take a breath, use the speed and grit to always make every Capitals player worry and make a wrong pass or be in the wrong position at the wrong time.

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